Abstract: An injection molding method and apparatus is disclosed that enables the injection of molding material into molds that may contain fibers, long, oriented fibers, core inserts and/or surface inserts. The method utilizes these steps: first, evacuation of the mold and its contents with the use of a vacuum means to remove gasses, adsorbed and chemisorbed water and other substances, second, injection of material into the mold using an injection pump or atmospheric pressure to force molding material into the mold. Apparatus for the preferred embodiment includes the placement of molds and any mold contents in a vacuum chamber to eliminate a dependence on seals around the mold, and means for injection of molding material under vacuum.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a mold tool having electrically isolated mold dies including the steps of placing an article to be treated with a plasma between at least one of the dies and the article to be treated and applying an electric field between the dies to create a plasma in the space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the efficient removal of low density lipoprotein cholesterol complex (LDL-C) from whole blood. More specifically, it relates to the use of an immobilized affinity agent on a microporous plasmapheresis membrane. The immobilized affinity agent is polyacrylic acid bound directly and/or through an interaction with silica and/or calcium chloride to a microporous hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing thermoplastic composites .e. laminates from a plurality of individual plies of thermoplastic resin prepregs. The prepregs are formed into composites under two substantially concentric vacuum chambers. High temperatures and low consolidating pressures are applied against the prepregs in an inner vacuum chamber while a lower vacuum is drawn from the rigid outer chamber to remove the volatiles and consolidate the prepregs.

Abstract: A silicon nitride ceramic having crystalline grain boundary phases is prepared by heating a composition comprising silicon nitride, a silicate glass-forming sintering aid and a high metal content transition metal silicide, to a temperature of 1300.degree. to 1800.degree. C. under vacuum until a glass forms, oxygen is removed from the glass, and the glass crystallizes. Alternatively, the grain boundaries of a sintered composition comprising silicon nitride, a silicate glass and a high metal content transition metal silicide can be crystallized by heating to at least 1300.degree. C. under a vacuum.

Abstract: To extract a liquid from a workable mass of material a first force is applied to the material in a first direction. A second opposed force is applied to the material within or slightly downstream of a liquid-extraction location. These opposed forces tend to compact the material to extract the liquid. The extracted liquid moves out of the liquid-extraction location along a path which extends generally transverse to the direction of the first and second forces. Third forces are applied to the material along the path in a direction generally opposite to that taken by the exiting liquid to prevent the material from traversing the path but to permit the liquid to exit. The first, second and third forces form a pinch point on the material within or slightly downstream of the liquid-extraction location to substantially obviate liquid flow countercurrent to the direction of the first force.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing thermoplastic resin molded optical members comprising a thermoplastic resin material into a mold, defoaming thermoplastic resin material in vacuo at a specific temperature for causing the loaded thermoplastic resin material to melt and to flow, and producing a molded optical member by gradually cooling off the mold in the upward direction from the bottom side while pressurizing the interior of the mold with an inert gas. The inner surface of the mold is preferably preliminarily coated with a release material such as fluoroplastic containing either fluorinated alicyclic group or a fluorinated heterocyclic group in the main chain.

Abstract: In a first step of the method, a pack of slabs is formed by positioning successive layers constituted by ornamental slabs of stone or equivalent material alternating with supplementary layers constituted by slabs or sheets in succession on a support base. A liquid-tight container is then formed around the pack. A peripheral space is left in the container at least around the edges of the layers of the pack. The interior of the container is then subjected to a vacuum and a settable fluid binder, such as a thermosetting synthetic resin, is introduced into the container while it is under vacuum so that the binder fills the whole of the peripheral space, penetrates the gaps between the slabs, and covers the pack of slabs. The vacuum is then released to complete the penetration of the binder and the binder is left, or made, to set so as to produce a consolidated pack of slabs in a block in which the faces of the block corresponding to the edges of the layers are covered by a hermetic covering of binder.

Abstract: Ceramic tubes are manufactured from a mixture that includes ceramic powder. The mixture is extruded through a die to form a tube. The tube is passed through an open-ended dryer, calciner, transition zone, sintering furnace, and cooler. Thereafter, the tube is cut to the desired length (which may be very long). The quality of the tube is enhanced by applying a vacuum to the mixture prior to extrusion. For tubes made of non-oxide ceramics, an inert atmosphere is maintained both inside and outside the tube in all sections of the equipment that operate above 200.degree. C. A controlled tension is applied to the tube by means of first pinch rolls disposed downstream of the dryer and second pinch rolls disposed downstream of the cooler.

Abstract: In general, used thermoplastic liquid containers such as oil and solvent bottles are discarded. When recycling oil bottles, the usual practice is to wash the bottles with a solvent to remove oil therefrom. Washing of the bottles results in large quantities of used, oil-containing solvent, which present a disposal problem. A simple solution to the problem of recycling liquid containers with no preliminary washing or cleaning operation includes the steps of tumbling the bottles to promote liquid separation, shredding the bottles into small pieces and draining the liquid therefrom, grinding the pieces of plastic to yield a particulate thermoplastic, and mixing the particulate thermoplastic and any liquid remaining therein with an additive, e.g. an oil absorbent and a filler such as calcium carbonate, glass, mica or talc, and when the liquid is an oil, an absorbent to produce an extrudable mixture which can be used to form new containers.

Abstract: Reclaiming of polyester waste material for re-use in the production of high-quality PET plastic material comprises shredding, cleaning, sorting and postcondensing said waste materials. The shredded scrap material comprises polyester waste materials of various molecular weights and degrees of purifying. The shredded material is molten and filtered The filtered melt is either post-condensed in the molten state and then granulated or is first granulated and then subjected to a solid phase post-condensation. The granules obtained in each case are preferably fed into an extruder and extruded together with virgin raw material so as to produce a useful film or article.

Abstract: A lid (1) is injection-molded of polyethylene, for a widemouthed barrel of a synthetic resin, and includes an outer rim (4) encompassing the barrel neck (3) and an inner rim (5) dipping into the barrel neck. The outer lid rim (4) and inner lid rim (5) form an annular space (7), an annular web (8) projecting axially from the base of this space. For producing the lid gasket (13), the annular space (7) is exposed to an open flame for activating the annular space surface. Subsequently the sealing material, preferably polyurethane, is injected from a foaming machine into the base of the annular space (7), and thereafter the lid (1) is vibrated in order to degasify the gasket (13). The sealing material, preferably consisting of foamed polyurethane, contains a parting compound having a long-term effect.

Abstract: A method for making stock shapes from a composition which includes a liquid crystal polymer having a high crystallization temperature, the method including: (a) densifying the composition into a compact; and (b) processing the compact at one or more temperatures below the crystallization temperature using a moderate to high strain rate. For the liquid crystal polymer consisting essentially of p, p' biphenol, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and terephthalic acid monomers and sold under the trademark "XYDAR.RTM.", a preferred embodiment includes heating the compact to one or more temperatures between about 400.degree.-650.degree. F.; and extruding the heated compact in the solid state through a uniform flow-type die at a strain rate of at least about 2 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: Process for the production of a component, in which metal or ceramic powder (6) is applied under centrifugal force to the inner wall of a gas-permeable mold (13), which is under reduced pressure and is located in a reduced-pressure vessel (10), and precompacted, after which the mold (13) is removed from the vessel (10) and sintered. The mold (13) consists of a heap of ceramic grains with an organic binder having high strength between room temperature and a temperature just below the sintering temperature, in order to support the powder (6) to be sintered to give the component. When sintering starts, the binder evaporates or burns away, as a result of which the mold (13) substantially loses its supporting action for the component. Binder: aminolic, phenolic, furan resin.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming residuals produced from the manufacture of decorative high pressure laminates (HPLs), and composite materials obtained by the process. Such residuals which include cellulose impregnated with thermosetting resins which are partially condensed, are ground to a predetermined particle size and mixed with a melted mass of thermoplastic resin under controlled pressure and temperature conditions. The mixing time is sufficiently long for completion of the reaction during which physical and chemical interactions occur between the partially polycondensed thermosetting resin and the thermoplastic resin. The material so produced can be converted into granules for subsequent injection molding. There is provided an effective solution to pollution problems and excessive expense problems associated with the disposal of scraps and residuals from the manufacture of decorative HPLs.

Abstract: A C/C composite including a carbon matrix and carbon fibers and exhibiting a crystal structure of the carbon matrix differing between (a) the portion at and in the vicinity of the interface between the carbon fibers and the carbon matrix and (b) the other portion of the carbon matrix and excelling in strength and thermal conductivity is produced by a method which includes intercalating a carbonizing catalyst in carbon fibers, causing said carbon fibers having said carbonizing catalyst intercalated therein to be impregnated with a precursor of a carbon matrix, and then firing the product of impregnation.

Abstract: A briquette press apparatus for compacting powdered materials having a programmable control monitoring the forces of the press. During compression, the programmable control measures the compression force being asserted against the powdered material and regulates the press so that the compression force equals a programmed reference value. During decompression, the programmable control monitors the pressure release rate of the press and regulates the press so that the measured pressure release rate matches a programmed reference rate.

Abstract: Shaped products are prepared by molding composite materials based on a fabric consisting of at least two superimposed single-directional layers of continuous fibers stitched together with thread, with the continuous fibers being oriented in different directions from each other. The composite fabric is stamped in a die by means of a stamp while applying at the same time a monitored tension to the fabric as the fabric is forced into the hollow of the die by a stamp. The monitored tension is modulated by interposing relaxation stages having a value slightly greater than zero. The fabric, while maintained under monitored tension, is impregnated with a quantity of resin or binder needed for the formation of the finished part.

Abstract: A composite fiber is made of non-organic particulates bound to an organic polymer in fiber form. Many non-organic substances are serviceable and valve metal oxides are highly suitable. The organic polymer fiber is advantageously derived from fluorine-containing polymer. The composite fibers can serve as a filter, for instance as a filter-packing material for column chromatography, or can be suitable for separations, e.g., battery separations. The fiber may be compressed, or compressed and sintered, and thereby be useful as bearings or gaskets.

Abstract: A method of making a mold for use in the manufacturing of appliances for use in filling endodontically prepared root canals including the steps of drilling spaced apart holes into a flat base member, inserting into each of the holes elongated metal patterns having the desired configuration of a filler covered carrier shaft portion of an endodontic appliance, forming a vessel with the base member as the bottom and the patterns extending upwardly therein, pouring liquid plastic and a catalyst into the vessel and allowing it to solidify to form a mold, and removing the mold from the vessel and from the base, the mold having a cavity therein for each of the patterns, each cavity being useful for forming an appliance for use in filling an endodontically prepared root canal.

Abstract: A process of applying catalyzed resin through a vacuum bag onto a dry hand lay-up uses at least one resin reservoir with a valve nozzle thereon. The valve nozzle is placed between the lay-up and the vacuum bag. By lifting the resin reservoir connected to the valve nozzle, the catalyzed resin placed in the reservoir will be sucked by vacuum onto the laminate. The lowering of the resin reservoir stops the flow. The vacuum bag between the valve nozzle and the reservoir connector must be broken first to allow an open channel to the valve nozzle outlet.

Abstract: Remoldable panels of a high melting point, high tenacity thermoplastic polymer and a thermosensitive organic filler are produced by forming a mixture of polymer and filler, extruding the mixture to form a web and calendaring the web prior to its solidification. The mixture is formed and extruded in a single step by separately feeding the polymer and the thermosensitive filler into an integral mixing and extruding space that has a feed end and an extrusion end and includes a pair of co-rotating parallel elongated elements. Each of the co-rotating parallel elements has a length extending between the feed end and the extrusion end of the integral space. At least three helical extrusion sections are distanced along the length of the elements and at least two kneading sections are included.

Abstract: An optical compensator plate is prepared by applying heat and pressure to an ionomer resin in an autoclave to form a resin film having a birefringence, annealing the resin film at a temperature range not less than the softening temperature and not higher than the melting point of the resin, e.g. 60.degree.-100.degree. C. for at least about 30 minutes.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the production of thermoplastic, caprolactam containing molding compositions by hydrolytic polymerization of caprolactam in stirrer autoclaves in which a molten mass is polymerized at pressures of 5 to 20 bar and temperatures of 220.degree. to 280.degree. C., the molten mass is transferred into an intermediate vessel to which vacuum is applied for continued polymerization and removal of volatile portions. Subsequently, the mass is continuously fed into a multi-screw extruder, in order to attain at increased temperatures and vacuum the desired polymerization degree and the desired monomer and oligomer contents. In a subsequent zone of the extruder, when desired, additional agents are worked in, whereafter a further degasification occurs in the end zone of the extruder, whereafter the mass is extruded, quenched, subdivided and dried. The method and apparatus use relatively little energy as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A process for producing dense bodies from mixtures of materials with significantly different electrical resistivities. A mixture of electrically conducting powder and a dielectric or semiconducting powder is subjected to pressure and an intense electric current pulse of sufficiently short duration such that the heating is largely confined to the material of superior electrical conductivity. Densification is achieved under pressure prior to the attainment of thermal equilibrium within the mixture. Diamond/titanium diboride and boron carbide/titanium carbide composites are typical of the process.

Abstract: Gypsum/fiber board, especially for use as floor board, is fabricated by paring a binder consisting of at least 60% by weight of calcium sulfate alpha hemihydrate, and at most 35% by weight calcium sulfate beta hemihydrate, the balance, if any, inert material such as grinding residues from finished plaster board, in an amount of 100 parts by weight of the binder to 20 parts by weight of fiber, especially cellulose fiber or a mixture of cellulose fiber from scrap paper with reinforcing fiber. This dry mixture combined is with water in an amount such that no water can be expressed from the prepared mix by the subsequent pressing step and the prepared mix is then pressed in a peripherally-closed form such that the finished gypsum/fiber board will have a raw density of at least 1.5 g/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A biodegradable sheet is produced from an aqueous dispersion containing finely cut cellulose fibers and chitosan. The dispersion is maintained at a temperature T.sub.1 .degree.C. which is within the following range:t.ltoreq.T.sub.1 .ltoreq.t+30wherein t is the boiling point (.degree.C.) of water at a given reduced pressure and is continuously introduced into a defoaming zone maintained at the given reduced pressure and at a temperature within the same range as that of T.sub.1. In the defoaming zone, the dispersion is formed into a downwardly flowing laminar flow so that air entrapped therein is effectively removed therefrom. The defoamed dispersion is then passed through a die and is molded into a sheet which is subsequently dried.

Abstract: In a tire mold having a pair of mold parts separable about cooperating surfaces of the respective mold parts which define a parting line region, each of the mold parts includes a surface defining at least a portion of a cavity for shaping a tire. The tire mold further includes a plurality of pockets for defining a respective plurality of circumferentially arranged tread elements in the tire. The improvement comprises a vacuum source in fluid communication with the cavity of the tire mold for evacuating fluid from the cavity in the tire mold through a space located between the surfaces of the mold parts which define the parting line region. A vent fluidly connects a pair of adjacent pockets. A passage associated with one of the mold parts provides fluid communication between the vacuum source and one of the pair of adjacent pockets connected by the vent.

Abstract: A hard enclosing container which is transparent at least at its front wall, has a metallic plate bearing indicia contained therein. An enclosing layer of a viscous adhesive agent is stuck to all surfaces of the plate and fills the container. The layer includes at least a front covering layer which is transparent. To form the article, the plate is adhered to a bottom wall of the container by a lower covering layer of the adhesive agent or by a pressure sensitive adhesive double coated sheet. Viscous adhesive agent is charged to the container. The container is then sealed by a transparent hard top cover. Alternatively, the container with the plate stuck therein can be closed by the transparent hard top cover and the adhesive agent is then charged into the sealed container expelling any air trapped therein. The sealed container can be evacuated prior to charging.

Abstract: A curved composite material body is consolidated to a complexly curved shape by placing rigid tooling on the concave-facing side of the body, and a pressure membrane on the other (convex-facing) side of the body. In another region of the body where the sign of the curvature of the body changes so that the other side becomes the concave-facing side, the rigid tooling is placed on that side, against the concave-facing side, and the pressure membrane is contacted to the convex-facing side. The rigid tooling thus crosses over from one side to the other through various regions of the body, providing a precise consolidation to meet the structural and dimensional specifications. Consolidation is achieved by applying pressure to the body of composite material through the pressure membranes.

Abstract: A container for the high temperature, high pressure processing of workpieces is disclosed. Such container has a removable plug with a deformable seal permitting rapid access to the interior of the container following processing. The removable plug contains various access ports allowing continuous monitoring of the interior of the container, continuous evacuation of gases, and introduction of controlled processing gases as may be required for various workpieces.

Abstract: A method for reverse degassing a melt of thermoplastic plastics material and an extrusion device therefor. Thermoplastic plastics materials are fed into the extrusion device either in the form a melt or as a granulated, which latter is fused to form a melt. A portion of the melt is separated from the main melt stream. The extrusion device includes, in a downstream direction, a return-blocking zone, a degassing zone, a feed zone and a conveying zone. The separated portion is removed from the feed zone, the conveying zone or even a feed conduit leading into the feed zone if the material is already molten. The extrusion device also includes screw means rotating in a barrel. The screw has at least two different flight portions, one in the returning-blocking zone and the other in at least the degassing zone.

Abstract: Sheet molded compound (SMC) charges are preheated before being molded into exterior automotive body panels using compression molding techniques under vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for charging a high-viscous material in a material tank into a charging tank. The high-viscous material, namely, putty is used preferably as a material for correcting the dynamic unbalance of a rotary body. When the material is charged from the material tank into the charging tank through a nozzle, the pressure of air in the charging tank is reduced and the pressure of air in the material tank is increased to drop the high-viscous material in droplets without taking air thereinto and air which has permeated into the material in the material tank can be removed.

Abstract: An absorbable, annealed surgical device made from a multi-phase, polymeric composition derived from lactide and glycolide. Preferably, the composition has two phases, both phases are continuous, the first phase has about 0-about 25%m glycolide moieties, the overall composition has up to 45%m glycolide moieties, and the first phase constitutes at least 50% (and preferably not more than about 95%) by weight of the composition. The device has a high distortion temperature, good resistance to hot-wet creep, but yet loses tensile strength in vivo quickly. The composition per se is injection-moldable, can be annealed, and is not brittle.

Abstract: A transmissive screen for use in a video projector or the like and a manufacturing method thereof is provided wherein a UV-curable resin is coated on a back film or a mold. One surface of a lens surface of opposite shape is formed by the mold. The UV-curable resin is sandwiched between the back film and the mold, ultraviolet rays are irradiated on the UV-curable resin and the screen is released from the mold, thereby forming a transmissive screen in which the lens surface is formed on one surface by the UV-curable resin and the back film is formed on the other surface. Thus, the screen can be reduced in weight and thickness, and can be mass-produced.

Abstract: A method of densifying glass-composite structures using a superplastically deformed foil to partially encapsulate a glass-composite part and a part holding die. The die and part are contained in a rigid box held in a press. The foil is deformed over the die and part. Heat and pressure are applied to the die and part, through the rigid box, to soften the glass matrix of the part and to cause the glass to flow into the voids of the part.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of removing binder material which is non-sublimable at room temperature and pressures greater than 1 Torr from a binder and particulate mixture. The binder and particulate mixture is formed into a shaped article and placed in a closed furnace. The closed furnace is then adjusted to a pressure and temperature sufficient to effect transformation of the binder material from a solid to a vapor and diffusion of the binder material as a vapor through, and from, the binder and particulate mixture without formation of a liquid phase of binder material on the binder and particulate mixture surface. The shaped article is held under these processing conditions until substantially all of the binder material transforms to its vapor state and diffuses through, and from, the mixture into the closed furnace. The binder material vapor is then evacuated from the furnace through conventional means.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing thermo-composites is disclosed where individual lies of a prepreg, to be formed into a laminate, are processed under two, concentric vacuum chambers. Heat and consolidating pressure are applied under a first vacuum to the material and then a second vacuum is drawn under an outer, rigid shell.

Abstract: A process for producing a lead wire of hard carbon for supplying power to a fuel battery, including the steps of mixing carbon powder and monomer or precondensate of furan resin with binder containing as a main ingredient chlorine-containing vinyl resin which is carbonized after calcining, uniformly mixing and dispersing the mixture composition, applying high shearing force to the mixture composition, extrusion molding the composition in a rod shape, insolubilizing and infusibilizing the molding, and calcining the molding in an inert gas atmosphere, thereby obtaining the lead wire of hard carbon for supplying power to the fuel battery. Thus, the process can industrially simply and inexpensively produce lead wires of hard carbon for supplying power with small electric resistance to the fuel battery which does not consume electricity generated as Joule heat, and has excellent corrosion resistance against electrolytes of high temperature and high acid concentration.

Abstract: A method for removing volatile substances from polyphenylene ether (PPE) resin blends in an extruder comprising adding a second thermoplastic resin downstream from the PPE feedport and one stage of water injection followed by vacuum venting is disclosed.

Abstract: A spring consisting of a rope having a plurality of strands each containing a plurality of monofilaments, and a cured binder which has saturated the rope under pressure to cause it to be self-sustaining in spring form. A method of fabricating a spring including the steps of providing a conventional rope composed of a plurality of monofilaments, saturating the rope under pressure with a binder to form a combined rope and binder, forming the combined rope and binder into a predetermined spring shape, and curing the binder to cause the spring to be self-sustaining in the formed predetermined spring shape. A self-damping spring formed by the foregoing method wherein the rope is of the twisted type, and the amount of damping being dependent on the angularity of the twisting. A spring consisting of a first portion of a rope impregnated with binder to hold the spring in a self-sustaining shape and an untreated second rope portion formed integrally with the first portion.

Abstract: A method for fabricating in a mold a rotatable recording drum. Initially, the mold is rotated and a predetermined quantity of a flowable substance is poured into the mold cavity and is centrifugally flung against the mold wall to form a mold layer with a smooth inner surface. Next, a surface substance is poured into the mold cavity and is allowed to harden against the mold layer. A core outer layer substance is then poured into the mold cavity and allowed to harden against the surface substance, and rotation of the mold is stopped. The mold layer fluid is removed, and the cavity inside the outer layer is filled with a core inner layer substance which is allowed to harden before the drum core is removed from the mold cavity. Following removal of the core from the mold cavity, the hardened surface substance may be vacuum coated, and a protective overcoat applied to the core. The drum core and the surface substance can also be formed separately.

Abstract: An insulation panel comprises a mineral fiber board having a density between 8 and 28 pounds per square foot, the fibers having no organic binder thereon, and between 5 and 40 percent by weight of particulate material packed in the interstices of the board, and a gas-tight envelope encapsulating the board, the envelope being evacuated to a vacuum between 10.sup.-4 Torr and 10 Torr.

Abstract: A process for the devolatilization of polymer solutions including:(a) feeding the solution to a zone of indirect thermal exchange in which the ratio between the surface of thermal exchange and the flow per hour of the solution is over 80 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 /h;(b) moving the solution forward into each channel at a speed below 0.5 mm/second;(c) keeping the solution of the polymer in each channel for about 120-200 seconds; and(d) separating the volatile components from the devolatilized polymer solution.

Abstract: A method for packaging semiconductor devices in resin uses a mold having a pot and cavities, a vacuum pump for drawing off the air contained in the pot and the gases emitted from a resin tablet placed in the pot, and a pressing piston for pressing the resin tablet to feed the resin to the cavities. The pot has a volume which is greater than the maximum volume to which the heated resin tablet expands in a vacuum. The method includes the steps of placing the resin tablet in the pot, heating the resin under an applied vacuum until it expands to a sufficient extent to draw away gas trapped in the heated resin tablet, pressing the heated resin to the cavities to surround semiconductor devices placed therein, and curing the resin.

Abstract: In a method for the production of a fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin molding material by a procedure of leading a mixture of a liquid thermosetting resin composition with reinforcing fibers to an impregnation apparatus and deaerating the mixture and impregnating the reinforcing fibers with the resin composition, apparatus including at least one pair of vertically opposed endless belts adapted to be driven in the directions of taking in and nipping the mixture and at least one pair of vertically opposed rollers adapted to depress the mixture across the endless belts, at least one of the opposed rollers being a flexible roller possessing elasticity.

Abstract: An electrical cable having a jacket surrounding a metal shield which, in turn, surrounds the cable core. The jacket comprises a polyolefin with a modifier provided by a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof with the jacket lying in intimate overall contact with an outer surface of the shield and being bonded by the modifier throughout the overall contact areas to the shield.

Abstract: A method for fabricating evacuated panels for use in cooling apparatus, such panels being particularly well suited for use in refrigerators. The method includes a preconditioning step in which the powder filler of the panel is heated and agitated, prior to placement in an air permeable pouch for compression and then in a barrier container for evacuation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing polymer seals consisting of bonding together a combination of cured pre-polymers to form a single multi-layered seal of varying hardness urethane with at least one pre-polymer being a polyester based pre-polymer and at least one pre-polymer being a polyether-based prepolymer.