Abstract: A basket is made from embedded recycled container sheet. The basket includes: a side wall and a bottom, the side wall and the bottom being connected to one another in the shape of a basket with an open top, the side wall being, at least in part, a plurality of flattened recycled containers embedded therein, and each of the plurality of flattened recycled containers being visibly recognizable. In some embodiments, the basket also includes a hanging mechanism attached to at least one of the side wall and the bottom. The side wall has a footprint that may be circular, conical, oval, square, rectangular, polygonal or irregular.

Abstract: The present invention relates to efficient furnace capacity utilization in the production of ingots. The present invention includes a crucible and use of the same. The crucible approximately matches the interior shape of the furnace in which the ingots are produced.

Abstract: To separate resin molded parts that are used for a push button switch member with less light leakage from the side faces and less trouble in key operation, easily, a resin molded body comprises one or more resin molded parts for a push button switch member, a frame surrounding the outside of the resin molded parts, one or more gates connecting a plurality of the resin molded parts each other or the resin molded part to the frame and one or more runners crossing the longitudinal direction of the gates, wherein the gates are connected at the back faces of the resin molded parts not to be coated with light shielding paint, and wherein the runners are connected to the gates on the same surfaces as the resin molded parts are connected to and are connecting the opposing sides of the frame.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing floor panels, wherein one starts from board-shaped elements that are subjected to a press treatment, wherein during pressing at the decorative side of the board-shaped elements to be pressed, a press element is used having a plurality of separately formed press parts.

Abstract: Strips containers are formed using two continuous webs in thermoformable and heat-sealable material facing each other. The webs are indexed along a feed line through different operating stations that transform the webs into a continuous strip of containers, each one of which is provided with a mouth. The containers are arranged according to two parallel rows that are opposed to a longitudinal median zone. The mouths of the containers of the upper row are arranged on the upper longitudinal edge of the strip and face upwards, whilst the mouths of the containers of the lower row are arranged on the lower longitudinal edge and face downwards. The method enables productivity to be increased and waste to be reduced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cutting compressible cellular polymers such as polyurethane foam, are characterized by a first die roller and a pressure roller, wherein both rollers define raised portions separated by recesses or depressions, and the raised portions on the first die roller register with the recesses of the pressure roller at a nip formed between the rollers. Portions of the polymer material extruded into the spaces between the raised portions of the first die roller are cut away, such that the cut product conforms substantially to the surface geometry of the first die roller, and the depth of cut is greater than with prior rotary cutting methods.

Abstract: Provided is a block copolymer film in which a microphase separation structure formed by a block copolymer is arranged perpendicularly to the film surface, and all components forming the block copolymer are uncovered to the film surface, whereby the microphase separation structure penetrates the film surface. A method of producing the block copolymer film includes the steps of extruding a melt of the block copolymer in one direction by extrusion molding or injection molding, cooling the extruded block copolymer to a temperature equal to or lower than glass transition temperatures of polymer components in the block copolymer to provide a prismatic or cylindrical extrusion molded product, and cutting the prismatic or cylindrical extrusion molded product in the direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction.

Abstract: A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.

Abstract: A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to external devices for dilating nasal passageways and to the manufacture thereof. More specifically, the external nasal dilator of the present invention usually comprises a resilient sheet, an adhesive layer, and an adhesive-protecting sheet. In some embodiments of the external nasal dilator, the resilient sheet defines a groove for reducing the peel force that results from bending the dilator over the bridge of the nose. In addition to the groove or in lieu thereof, some embodiments of the external nasal dilator comprise a nasal passage region having a reduced width to reduce the peel force. Finally, the dilator can comprise a sheet of adhesive tape, which in some embodiments can provide an instant tack surface to facilitate application of the dilator.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing panel units may include applying a cover tape to a surface of a panel in such a way as to substantially extend along a periphery of the panel. An extrusion molding die may be moved relative to the panel in such a way that the extrusion molding die moves along the periphery of the panel while at least partially contacting the cover tape applied to the panel. At the same time, a molten molding material may be extruded from the extrusion molding die, thereby integrally forming a molded article on the periphery of the panel. The cover tape may be then removed from the surface of the panel in order to produce a panel unit having the molded article disposed along the periphery of the panel.

Abstract: [Problems] Provided is a novel sheet for packaging electronic parts which is excellent in transparency and suitability for thickness reduction. [Means for solving Problems] The sheet for packaging electronic parts is one obtained by biaxially drawing a styrene resin composition comprising 7 to 99.5 mass % of a polystyrene resin (A), 0.5 to 3 mass % of a high-impact polystyrene resin (B) which has a rubber content of 4 to 10 mass %, and 0 to 92.5 mass % styrene-conjugated diene block copolymer (C) wherein the molecular weight of the styrene block part is at least 10,000 and less than 130,000. This sheet has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.7 mm and an orientation release stress value as measured in conformity with ASTM D-1504 of 0.2 to 0.8 MPa.

Abstract: Decorative grasses having an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth are disclosed, as are methods for making such decorative grasses from materials, wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to simulate the appearance or texture of cloth.

Abstract: Thermoplastic parts are made of predominantly single unit thickness but with marginal areas of increased thickness by molding two parts in a common mold having overlapping mold portions. Two thicknesses of thermoplastic material are molded together in the areas of increased thickness at opposite ends of the common mold and the parts are separated from one another by trimming such that each part has an area of increased solid wall thickness and an area of reduced thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an operating device and a die suitable for interacting to form containers from a sheet material, a cutting device for separating said containers from said sheet material, said cutting means being so shaped as to be removably connectable to said operating device.

Abstract: A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system.

Abstract: Thermoplastic parts are made of predominantly single unit thickness but with marginal areas of increased thickness by molding two parts in a common mold having overlapping mold portions. Two thicknesses of thermoplastic material are molded together in the areas of increased thickness at opposite ends of the common mold and the parts are separated from one another by trimming such that each part has an area of increased solid wall thickness and an area of reduced thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular unit used for constructing various items, the unit being made of a deformable material and characterized in that the unit has a flat element which is co-formed with a plurality of parallel tubular elements attached to a surface thereof, wherein the tubular elements are spaced apart from each other and each tubular element has a common wall with the flat element.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shingle, together with the shingle made thereby, is provided, in which one or more thermoplastic materials are extruded or co-extruded to form an extrudate, with the extrudate being cut into a preliminary shingle shape, which is allowed to dissipate heat, and then is delivered to a compression mold, wherein the preliminary shingle shape is compression molded to substantially its final dimensions and is then discharged from the mold and allowed to cool.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical circuit for an electrical component comprises the steps of; producing an electrical circuit from a planar conductive material, the circuit including tracks and tie bars between tracks; over-moulding the electrical circuit ith plastics material leaving tie bars in apertures; and removing the tie bars after the over-moulding process.

Abstract: Low weight and non-square carpet tile suitable for use in mass transit vehicles, particularly passenger aircraft. The carpet tile preferably weighs less than about 82 ounces per square yard. The carpet tile of this invention may have a carpet pile and at least one backing layer. The backing layer may use a low weight filler material. The carpet tiles satisfy transportation industry standards for flame, smoke and toxicity. Tiles may be sized during manufacture and installed in configurations that minimize the number of tile sizes needed and minimize the need for cutting tiles during installation. The patterns used for such tiles may be orthogonally ambiguous or otherwise suitable for “random” installation. In other embodiments, a passenger aircraft cabin includes a floor having rectangular carpet tiles installed thereon, and the carpeting can be installed in the aircraft without removing seats from the aircraft.

Abstract: A method of continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process includes a film preparation task, a film drawing task, a film cutting task and a film feeding task. The film preparation task includes preparing a roll of film and drawing the film out and fixing a head end thereof at a first position. The film drawing task includes holding the film and drawing the film along a film feeding direction to have the head end to a second position. The film cutting task includes cutting the film off to have a film piece,. The film feeding task includes holding the film piece and moving the film piece to a third position. The film preparation task, the film drawing task and film cutting task are repeated in sequence for continuously feeding film pieces for the molding process.

Abstract: A sizer assembly for providing a shaped polymeric article in an extrusion process includes a sizer body having a product profile channel corresponding to the shaped polymeric article formed therethrough. The sizer body includes a plurality of cooling liquid inlet slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel and a plurality of vacuum slots forming an opening substantially around the product profile channel for removing cooling liquid expelled from said cooling liquid inlet slots.

Abstract: A method of molding provides two molds (102, 104) formed of semiconductor material. The molds (102, 104) have substantially planar working faces (108, 110) into which recesses (106, 112) are formed. In use the molds (102, 104) are pressed together with the working faces (108, 110) opposed so the recesses (106, 112) form mold cavities. The molds (102, 104) only contact each other in the plane of the working faces (108, 110). A thermoplastic sheet placed between the molds is heated to deform the sheet into the mold cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing and bagging decorative grass, comprising an extruder, a godet, a slitter, a cutter, a divider, a bagging assembly and a programmable logic controller. The extruder produces a sheet of flexible material, which is fed by the godet into the slitter, cutter and divider. The slitter slits the sheet into a web of strands of material. The cutter cuts the web of strands, producing a quantity of decorative grass, which is then divided into discrete aggregates and sent by ducts to bagging assemblies, each of which has a rotatable turret having magazines for receiving and discharging discrete aggregates, an inserter and a bag handler. A programmable logic controller coordinates the production and bagging of the decorative grass, based on the properties of the sheet and the divider, and the predetermined properties of the decorative grass.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward unitary modular shake panels, and methods for making and using such shake panels. In one aspect of the invention, a unitary modular shake panel includes an interconnecting section composed of a siding material and several integral shake sections projecting from the interconnecting section. The panel preferably has a quadrilateral shape with first and second edges along a longitudinal dimension that are separated from each other by a width of the panel along a transverse dimension. Additionally, the shake sections are separated from one another by slots extending from the second edge to an intermediate width in the panel. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is composed of a unitary piece of fiber-cement siding with a simulated wood grain running along the transverse dimension.

Abstract: A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and/or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone/vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and/or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.

Abstract: An inorganic fiber mat includes an inorganic fiber aggregated body which includes inorganic fibers. At least a part of the inorganic fibers located on a surface of the inorganic fiber aggregated body is fused to each other by heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting oil comprising A) at least one polyalkylene glycol and B) optionally solvent and C) optionally further auxiliary materials and additives, and to its use for sawing polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A co-polymer tile having a surface comprising elongated grain and stripe patterns simulating a wood grain pattern and a method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The method includes a first mixing step, a grain color addition step, a second mixing step, a compression step, a stripping step, a sheeting step, a calendaring step, a cooling step, and a cutting step.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an element having a microstructure such as an MEMS device uses a material whose state changes with a temperature change. A sheet-like member having a microstructure on its surface is fixed to a vacuum chuck by an adhesive sheet and the material whose state changes with a temperature change is applied to the surface of the sheet-like member the material is then cooled to solidify it on the surface of the sheet-like member and the sheet-like member is cut 10 into a plurality of elements, while the material is in the solidified state, and the separated elements are then removed from the adhesive sheet.

Abstract: A thermal spreading device disposable between electronic circuitry and a heat sink includes a substrate having parallel first and second faces and conduits extending through the substrate between the faces. The substrate material has a first thermal conductivity value in a direction parallel to the faces and a second thermal conductivity value in a direction normal to the faces, with the second thermal conductivity value being less than the first thermal conductivity value. The conduit material has a thermal conductivity value associated with it, with the thermal conductivity value being greater than the second thermal conductivity value of the substrate. One method of fabricating the thermal spreading device includes disposing a molding material radially about the rods and hardening the material. Other methods include press fitting and shrink fitting the rods into a substrate material.

Abstract: A method of making a patterned ribbon includes cutting a fabric to strips of ribbons, providing a roller device having a patterned model and a cutting blade, providing an ultrasonic device for high frequently oscillating and heating up the roller device, setting the ribbon under the roller device and driving the roller device to rotate and press the ribbon. The patterned model presses and melts corresponding regions of the ribbon to form a coining pattern on the ribbon according to the pattern of the patterned model. The heated cutting blade cuts down the excessive portion of the ribbon, and rapidly melts an edge of the ribbon for sealing.

Abstract: A wound laminate obtained by laminating a plastic film composed of an aromatic polycarbonate comprising bisphenol A as an aromatic dihydroxy component, and a protective film composed of an aromatic polyester, using an intervening adhesive having a weak adhesive strength of 3-50 gf (0.0294-0.49 N), and winding the laminate. The wound laminate is used as a transparent protective layer (protective film) for an optical disk to fabricate a film surface side-incident optical disk.

Abstract: A multi-actuator selectively performing audio and vibration generating operations is made by injection molding process of inserting a spring into a case forming an exterior appearance of the multi-actuator. The spring is inserted into the case using an exterior structure integrally formed with the spring, and the exterior structure is cut off from the case after the injection process is finished. In the method of inserting the spring into the case, a plurality of guide holes are formed on the exterior structure and outside springs in a spring array state, and the springs are disposed and inserted into the injection-molding in the array state so that a productivity is improved. Since interference between the springs and the injection molding, deformation of the springs is prevented.

Abstract: A method of forming a thin film strip and thin film strips formed thereby where the method comprises coating a liner substrate with a wet slurry of film forming ingredients and other components and drying the wet slurry in a drying apparatus to form a film, measuring the moisture content of the film either during of upon exit from the drying apparatus, and storing the film in a minimal moisture loss environment during a curing process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum thermoforming disposable drink cups lids including the step of imparting printing to the lids in two or more colors while they are in contact with the vacuum thermoforming platen.

Abstract: A process for making co-extruded profiles includes forming a plurality of web-interconnected profiles, which travel together through a die.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for crushing a hydrous polymer jelly, comprising two rolls (11,12) located axially parallel and rotating in opposite directions between which a nip (13) for the passage of the polymer gel (10) is formed. In order to achieve a more uniform and cheaper size reduction of polymer gels, the present invention proposes to form one roll as a cutting roll (11) which is provided with at least one axially extending cross cutting element (15) having a cutting edge (17) and with a radially extending longitudinal cutting element (14) provided with a cutting edge (18) which runs around it, and to form the other roll as a back-up roll (12).

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a plurality of air diffusers from a single fiberglass and foil blank. At an automated pre-forming station upstream of a molding station, a blank has pressed therein two air diffuser patterns at a middle portion, two patterns at a first catercorner portion and two patterns at a second catercorner portion and the pressing of each set of two patterns occurs substantially simultaneously to prevent the foil from delaminating from the fiberglass. Thereafter, the blank is fed to a molding station that applies a significantly larger pressing force and heats the blank to form six air diffusers. Perforations are cut in the blank to facilitate separation of the air diffusers in a trimming station downstream of the molding station. Preferred pressing of air diffuser patterns occurs with pneumatic actuated male and female air diffuser pattern molds that are sequentially operated in accordance with a desired pattern.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for manufacturing transparent mirrored spheroidal mini-balls for solar energy and related applications such as optical switches. For these applications it is imperative to provide accurate specular reflection from the mirror. Various means are described for maintaining the desired mirror flatness and avoiding warping, buckling, etc. of the mirror surface during manufacture. The mini-balls are in the size range of 4 microns (4×10?6 m) to 10 centimeters (10?1 m), and are transparent in at least one hemisphere. They preferably have a reflecting mid-plane mirror, though they can also be mirrored on a flat top of the ball.

Abstract: Complementary roof tiles for a staggered roof tile layout are provided by: (i) extruding and conveying a composite ribbon; (ii) demarcating the composite ribbon into an alternating succession of a first roof tile type and a second roof tile type by engaging the composite ribbon with an upstream cutting blade and a downstream cutting blade, such that each roof tile type is demarcated at an upstream tile edge by one of the cutting blades and at a downstream tile edge by the other of the cutting blades, and such that a selected one of the roof tile types includes a pair of cut-out portions demarcated along one of the upstream and downstream tile edges on opposite ones of the ribbon side edges; (iii) separating the succession of demarcated roof tile types into distinct roof tiles; and (v) curing the distinct roof tiles to form a set of cured roof tiles.

Abstract: A closed ring fiber reinforced frame structure is produced by first preparing a prepreg. A section of the prepreg is formed into a flange preferably after impregnation by folding the flange section along a folding line. The folding line is formed by securing a deformable or drapable fiber ribbon material, for example by sewing or stitching to a carrier substrate which is preferably also a fiber material. The sewing seam or stitching line becomes the folding line. The ribbon material is so secured to the carrier substrate that the fiber orientation of the ribbon material is uniformly distributed all around a ring component that is formed of the ribbon material on the substrate. The impregnated ring component with its substrate is then cured after the folding of the flange to complete the ring frame structure.

Abstract: A method of making a composite doctor blade is provided. The composite doctor blade includes multiple layers of composite material including a plurality of abrasive unidirectional fibers, in which a substantial proportion of the fibers are aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the doctor blade. The unidirectional fibers are provided in a unidirectional fabric that includes, based on fabric weight, at least 60% by weight unidirectional fibers.

Abstract: A method for formation of shaped components such as shaped absorbent cores, for disposable absorbent articles, contemplates that a relatively wide web of material be provided from which the components are cut. The web of material is longitudinally slit to form a plurality of subdivided webs each having shaped components arranged in serial relationship. The shaped components of adjacent ones of the subdivided webs are nested with each other, that is, a line extending longitudinally of the web extends through the components of adjacent subdivided webs. Efficient formation is facilitated by collecting the marginal portions of the web of material, and at least partially recycling the collected portions for formation of the wide web.

Abstract: A process for producing patterned elastic sheetings comprises the steps of providing a pair of press rollers having opposite press surfaces respectively formed with at least one protrusion and one indentation, providing a laminate having at least two elastic sheet layers and one interface, placing the laminate between the rollers and causing the protrusion to press the laminate into the indentation so as to deform the laminate until the interface is deformed, cutting the laminate along a cutting plane that passes between the rollers and that passes through the laminate to divide the laminate into two parts, and causing the laminate to exit from the rollers to return the laminate to a non-deformed state. The interface deforms in a direction transverse to the cutting plane, and a pattern is formed in the laminate on two sides of the cutting plane after the laminate exits.

Abstract: A multi-layer printable thermoplastic film consisting of at least a fluoride polymer film having laminated thereto a polycarbonate film. The printable film is preformed (vacuum molding or thermoforming) and then inserted into a mold which has the configuration of the preformed printable film. A base layer of a thermoplastic such as a polycarbonate resin is injection molded to the exposed surface of the preformed printable film. The molded structure has exterior automotive applications such as lens, etc.

Abstract: Method for producing decorative grass, such as Easter grass, from a sheet or web of material having printed material and/or embossed patterns thereon. The printed material and embossed patterns may be in register or out of register with one another. A method for producing decorative grass having the appearance of a blend of decorative grasses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method fabricates fluid flow field plates that are suitable for use in an electrochemical fuel cell assembly. Pursuant to the method, a fluid flow field channel region such as, for example, substantially straight, parallel fluid flow field channels, is roller embossed in a sheet of compressible, electrically conductive material such as, for example, expanded graphite sheet material. A fluid distribution region such as, for example, a region containing manifold openings and supply channels, is then reciprocally embossed in the sheet material. A sheet pre-impregnated with a curable polymeric composition, such as pre-impregnated expanded graphite, can be employed, with the curing step being performed after the roller embossing and reciprocal embossing steps.

Abstract: Polymeric films including a layer of propylene polymer resin having microvoids therein, the microvoids having been formed by stretching a web containing the beta-form of polypropylene, have shown low static cling when being unwound from rolls in labelling operations and also during destacking of pre-formed labels. The invention provides labels formed from such films.