Abstract: A method for the production of a concrete article having a pattern on a surface thereof, comprising providing a mould having upstanding side walls, and a bottom surface which is patterned with a reverse image of the pattern desired on the surface of the article, introducing into the mould in contact with its patterned surface a first layer of concrete mix by either first introducing a layer of fluid binder slurry in contact with the said surface and applying on top of said slurry layer a layer of aggregate particles, or first introducing a layer of aggregate particles in contact with the said surface and applying on top of said aggregate layer a layer of fluid binder slurry, applying a second layer of concrete mix on top of the first layer, compacting the first and second layers of concrete mix in the mould to form the article in an uncured state, optionally separating the side walls of the mould from the uncured article, and demoulding the article after at least partial curing.

Abstract: A molding apparatus and an injection molding method using the same are provided. A plurality of lower mold cores are arranged in a first direction, and a plurality of upper mold cores are arranged in a row in the first direction. At least one of the lower mold cores is movable into contact with the upper mold cores.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a seal-integrated separator for a fuel cell is presented, with which seals can be accurately positioned and the assembling time for the fuel cell units may be greatly reduced.

Abstract: Foam earplugs (90) are produced by extruding foamable material through a nozzle (12) having a throat (30) where the nozzle diameter is smallest, to produce an extrusion (34) that expands in diameter along an expansion zone (D) as the extrusion moves forward. Applicant moves dies (70, 72) against opposite sides of the extrusion and then moves the dies forward with the moving extrusion while the foam solidifies into earplugs. The earplugs to be formed have sealing portions that seal to a person's ear canal, of a maximum diameter G of about 0.4 inch, and the nozzle throat has a diameter B no more than 0.1 inch to provide a long expansion zone so the dies can begin to mold the extrusion while the extrusion is still expanding in diameter.

Abstract: A liquid (14) is prepared by dissolving and dispersing poly-?-caprolactone, polyacrylamide and fine particles in chloroform. Viscosity of the liquid (14) is adjusted. Further, a substrate (30) is produced. A frame (31) is provided such that a thickness t1 is 0.5 mm. The liquid (14) is cast onto the casting area (30a) surrounded by the frame (31). A casting film (21) is formed by moving a scraper blade (33) and leveling the surface of the cast liquid (14). A plurality of droplets are formed in a systematic arrangement in the casting film (21) through condensation on the casting film (21). The droplets are evaporated by drying to form pores. Thus, the self-assembled construction having a honeycomb structure with a thickness of 5 ?m and a pore diameter of 5 ?m is obtained.

Abstract: A composition that employs a coupling agent with a fluoropolymer processing aid to address melt-processing issues related to the use of interfering components in melt-processable polymeric binders.

Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure, using a mandrel that is later removed from the composite structure, involves production of a mandrel by depositing a particulate mixture, including an aggregate and a binder, into a mold and removing the mandrel from the mold. The mandrel may be treated while still in the mold by heating, curing with an agent, microwave energy, or by some combination thereof. Once finished, the mandrel can be used in manufacturing polymer and/or composite components. The mandrel can also be include materials that can be easily removed from the finished composite structure by water, shakeout, chemically dissolving, or by some combination thereof.

Abstract: A film coated with a metal foil is embossed beforehand by a film shaping male mold to impart to the film a shape conformed to a formed article. The film shaping male mold and an injection molding male mold are slid, and injection molding is performed, with the embossed film coated with the metal foil being sandwiched between the injection molding male mold and a shaping female mold. As a result, the metal foil of the film coated with the metal foil is transferred to a product having a deeply concavo-convex surface, without damage to the metal foil, with the quality of the product being ensured.

Abstract: An easy-to handle hydrogen generating agent has been invented in which a hydrogen compound such as alkali metal hydrides, alkali earth metal hydrides and metal borohydride salts is embedded in a water-soluble solid compound such as a polyethylene glycol and organic acid. The hydrogen generating agent dissolves in water to slowly generate hydrogen gas. The oxidation-reduction potential of the water that has dissolved the hydrogen generating agent is shifted to the reducing side remarkably; therefore, the hydrogen generating agent can be used for preparation of cosmetics, beverage and bath water having reducibility. Also, the generated hydrogen can be used as a fuel for a fuel cell.

Abstract: Plane structure composed of a cohesive assembly of contiguous cellular cells having any cross section and essentially parallel walls from one cell to another, characterized in that the walls of the cells comprise at least two portions based on different polymeric compositions, the junction between said portions being substantially parallel to the plane of the structure.

Abstract: A light-absorbing resin composition for use in laser welding that retains transparency and enables stable laser welding to be performed. The light-absorbing resin composition for use in laser welding comprises a high-molecular-weight dispersant that has a glass transition temperature of 30° C. or higher and laser-light-absorbing nanoparticles. The laser-light-absorbing nanoparticles are nanoparticles of a hexaboride expressed by the general formula XB6 (where X is one or more elements selected from La, Ce, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Y, Sm, Eu, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Sr, and Ca).

Abstract: An object is to provide a molding method and a molding machine which can reduce load acting on a drive section for mold clamping, as well as a molded product produced by the molding method or the molding machine. The method includes the steps (the molding machine includes means) for charging a molding material into a cavity a plurality of times; performing mold clamping each time the molding material is charged; and retreating, at a predetermined timing, a base plate by a predetermined mold thickness adjustment amount so as to adjust the origin position of a toggle mechanism. In this case, a molding material is charged into the cavity a plurality of times; mold clamping is performed each time the molding material is charged; and at a predetermined timing, the base plate is retreated by a predetermined mold thickness adjustment amount whereby the origin position of the toggle mechanism is adjusted. Since the compressing force increases, the load acting on a drive section for mold clamping can be reduced.

Abstract: A mask to improve the comfort and eye health of individuals suffering from dry eye syndrome including a substantially vapor impermeable shell with a unitary structure having a substantially planar portion and two eye recesses. Each eye recess forms a generally concave dome shaped region on one side of the substantially planar portion. The shell is adapted to be worn on the face of the dry eye subject. An absorbent material can be positioned in at least one of the eye recesses; so that the absorbent material extends less than the maximum depth of the eye recesses to present the absorbent material to the face in the vicinity of the eyes of the dry eye subject without extending beyond the edge of the substantially planar portion. The invention may also include securing member to secure the shell to the subjects head.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, step-and-repeat imprint lithography is effected by applying balanced pressing forces from both sides of a substrate. The pressing forces are substantially equal in amplitude and opposite in direction. With the pressing forces thus balanced, the fixture that steps and holds the substrate does not bear the load of imprinting. The balance allows use of a high resolution aligning stage to carry the substrate and to maintain high accuracy of positioning without being shifted by change of load. With this method, sufficient imprint pressure can be used to obtain high quality patterning, a thin and uniform residual layer, and a high fidelity pattern.

Abstract: A container for fluids, in particular liquids, such as beer or water, includes a spherical or spheroid casing, a valve part for filling the container with a fluid and an outer package surrounding the casing. The outer package comprises a shell, which follows the circumference of the casing.

Abstract: Described are pipette tips and methods of making the same. The pipette tips may include at least two components, an annular component and a tubular body component. The annular component may comprise a different and relatively more compliant material. The annular component may be partially or entirely telescopically received within the tubular body component. Alternatively, the annular component may comprise a proximal end of the pipette tip and the tubular body component may comprise a distal end of the pipette tip. A portion of the tubular body component may be telescopically received by the annular component or otherwise attached thereto. The pipette tip may be formed by first molding the annular component and next molding the tubular body component. Alternatively, the tubular body component may be molded first and the annular component may be molded within, adjacent, or about the tubular body component.

Abstract: A wire connector wherein the wire engaging core and electrically insulated housing are molded with an exterior surface of a molded wire engaging core used as a mold surface as the electrically insulated housing is molded around the wire engaging core to provide a wire connector with a molded housing and a molded wire engaging core.

Abstract: Rolls having a polyurethane elastomer formed from a polyurethane mixture, wherein the polyurethane mixture comprises polydiene, tri-functional polyol curative, an additional graft polymer curative having a molecular weight of at least about 800 and comprising diol, polyol, diamine, polyamine or a combination thereof, conductive modifier, antioxidant, and hydrolytic stabilizer. Methods of forming such rolls include casting the polyurethane mixture, followed by curing, then demolding, grinding to desired dimensions and baking such that the outer layer of the cured roll is oxidized.

Abstract: The object is to efficiently utilize a starch substance among surplus agricultural product, and the present invention relates to a technique for blending the starch substance with a thermoplastic resin. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a starch resin composition which retains various properties of the thermoplastic resin even when the starch substance is blended in a large amount. There is provided a starch resin composition comprising 5-95 parts by weight of the thermoplastic resin (X), 95-5 parts by weight of starch substance (Y), and 0.2-20 parts by weight of a compatibilizer (Z) which improves an affinity at an interface between the thermoplastic resin (X) and the starch substance (Y), relative to 100 parts by weight of a total amount of the components (X) and (Y), and a technique associated with the starch resin composition.

Abstract: A process and device for extrusion/molding of thermoplastic hollow bodies using at least one extruder and at least two molds and including the extrusion of a flow of material, its cutting into parisons, and the molding of the parisons to produce the hollow body, alternately in the first mold and then in the second mold. The process may work in parallel for certain of its operations. The process and the device are well suited for producing hollow bodies of complex three-dimensional geometry with a high productivity.

Abstract: Polythiophene may be processed using a method including providing a composition including the polythiophene and a liquid including at least one hydrocarbon having at least 6 carbon atoms; heating the composition to a temperature of at least about 50° C.; and separating solid polythiophene from the heated composition. Alternatively, the method may include providing a composition including polythiophene and an organic liquid; heating the composition to dissolve a portion of the polythiophene in the organic liquid; and separating solid polythiophene from the heated composition.

Abstract: A transfer press apparatus for molding a material panel in a predetermined shape is provided, which comprises: (a) an upper mold; (b) a lower mold; (c) a crankshaft to supply power to move the upper and lower molds; (d) a blank holder connected to an outer circumference of the lower molder; (e) a finger arranged between the upper mold and the lower mold so as to lift the panel after the panel is molded by the upper and lower molds; and (f) an operating die face unit mounted on the blank holder so as to provide a space for receiving the finger when the finger is used to lift the panel. A method for controlling the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent-graft having an essentially tubular configuration with a central longitudinal lumen and having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The stent-graft may include a self-expanding stent and a first and second tube of biocompatible material between which the stent is positioned. The stent-graft may also include an interlayer member between the first and second tube. The method generally includes applying pressure and heat to a stent-graft assembly to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material around the stent.

Abstract: A molded article is produced by a method of compression molding employing a specially shaped billet of thermoplastic material which is positioned at a predetermined location in a predetermined orientation with respect to the mold cavity surfaces of a mold part. In a preferred embodiment, the billet has a generally egg shape and is located adjacent a mold surface defining a small mold cavity region between two larger cavity regions.

Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover is manufactured by the steps of (A) enclosing the core with a thermoplastic resin and (B) tailoring the thermoplastic resin layer by applying heat and pressure thereto, for adjusting the thickness of the thermoplastic resin layer to 0.3-1.0 mm. A golf ball whose cover layer has a very thin and uniform thickness as well as an improved outer appearance is manufactured. The golf ball can derive the rebound and other characteristics of the core to the maximum extent.

Abstract: Lightweight, thermoplastic, vehicle headliners each having at least one integrally-formed, energy-absorbing, head-impact mechanism and injection molding methods for making same are provided. Each headliner includes a stiff, self-supporting, thermoplastic sheet adapted to be mounted adjacent a roof of the vehicle so as to underlie the roof and shield the roof from view. The sheet has an upper surface and a lower surface. Each energy-absorbing, head-impact mechanism absorbs energy of an impact with its associated headliner by a passenger of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the at least one head-impact mechanism includes a plurality of spaced-apart, energy-absorbing, thermoplastic structures, such as ribs, which are connected to and extend upwardly from the upper surface of its thermoplastic sheet.

Abstract: An embodiment of the claimed invention includes a method of manufacturing an object. The method includes providing an object portion, providing a protrusion, forming a recess in the object portion by pressing at least a first portion of the protrusion into the object portion. In addition, a recess is formed in the object by placing material adjacent to both at least a second portion of the protrusion and at least a part of the object portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pressed part from a soft magnetic composite material. A starting mixture is provided that includes an iron powder and an auxiliary pressing agent. The starting mixture is pressed to form a pressed part and annealed at temperatures between 380° C. and 450° C. in a mixture of an inert gas and oxygen that has an oxygen concentration between 1% and 10% by volume. A second embodiment of a method for manufacturing a pressed part from a soft magnetic composite material in which a starting mixture is provided that includes an iron powder and an auxiliary pressing agent. The starting mixture is pressed to form a pressed part, annealed, and then postformed and re-annealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for forming textured surfaces in a polymeric surfaces. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods for forming textured surfaces in a polymeric surfaces and faithfully replicating the textured surfaces in the surfaces of sol-gel films on the surfaces of very hard materials, e.g., of glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shaping a section bar (for example, a “T-shaped” or “J-shaped” stringer) made of composite material is provided. The method comprising the steps of placing the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets on a pair of side presses opposing to each other with a predetermined gap; inserting a punch through the gap from above to fold the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets in half, while holding ends of the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets between upper surfaces of the side presses by block members; drawing out the punch upward and then pressing the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets folded by the side presses therebetween. A shaped product shaped thereby is high quality in which a distortion (“fluctuation”) of the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets in the inner side ply or plies of bending does not occur and ends of the stacked reinforced-fiber sheets are aligned between plies.

Abstract: A process of molding a container closure comprises depositing a gob of thermoplastics material in a mold cavity and then moving mold plates in an upper mold portion relative to an opposing lower mold portion to form the container closure in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing injection molded toothbrush handles wherein two or more adjacent cavities in a mold are respectively configured to mold a first portion of a handle and a second portion of a handle, wherein upon injection molding of the first portion in a first cavity, the second portion is simultaneously injected into a second cavity into which a previously molded fist portion has been placed after its removal from the first cavity, thereby to immediately contact the previous first portion with the newly injected second portion. A third portion may also be injected into a third cavity into contact with a previously injection molded contacting first and second toothbrush handle portion. In this manner, seriatim transfer of the said portions between cavities enhances product output. The handle may include transparent or translucent portions.

Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough, joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials, in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary, with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.

Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure having a plurality of open-end cells extending therethrough including providing at least one cylindrically-shaped first roller including an engagement surface having a plurality of outwardly-extending teeth spaced along a length and about a circumference of the at least one first roller, wherein the teeth are spaced so as to engage a first subset of a total number of cells exposed on a first end of the honeycomb structure. The method also includes rolling the engagement surface of the at least one first roller across the first end of the honeycomb structure with the teeth extending into the first subset of cells, thereby deforming the first end of the honeycomb structure and plugging a second subset of the total number of cells substantially different from the first subset of cells.

Abstract: A fastener strip is disclosed having a permanently sealed, airtight portion and a reclosable portion capable of maintaining an airtight seal when closed. The permanently sealed portion is generally planar and essentially impervious to air flow. The reclosable portion includes a ridge and a trough joined at their adjacent ends to a plug, which prevents air from leaking from the adjacent end of the reclosable portion. Additionally, a dam joins the plug to the first backing in an essentially airtight seal, and joins the plug to the second backing in an essentially airtight seal. A method and apparatus for sealing portions of a thermoplastic fastener strip are also disclosed. A method is additionally disclosed for vibrating and molding thermoplastic materials in which a flow of malleable thermoplastic material is initiated and molded with an effectively dimensioned vibrator that is unitary with a first matrix for guiding and molding the malleable polymer.

Abstract: A method of producing an abrasive product comprises providing a mixture of a mass of discrete carbide particles and a mass of diamond particles, the diamond particles being present in the mixture in an amount such that the diamond content of the abrasive product is 25% or less by weight, and subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature and pressure conditions at which the diamond is crystallographically stable and at which substantially no graphite is formed, in the presence of a bonding metal or alloy capable of bonding the mixture into a coherent, sintered product, to produce the abrasive product. The bonding metal or alloy is preferably a combination of a transition metal or a transition metal alloy and up to 40% by volume of the bonding metal or alloy of a second metal which is a stronger carbide former than the transition metal or the transition metal alloy, or an alloy of the second metal.

Abstract: A thin-walled polymeric component that may have a selected complex shape, and a method of forming the component. The method includes heating a portion of a polymeric film to a selected malleable temperature, and forming a protrusion in the heated portion while it is malleable. The protrusion defines a protrusion having a first shape. The method also includes positioning a forming tool in the protrusion's interior and drawing a partial vacuum from within the protrusion so as to exert a force on the protrusion and move the protrusion's sidewalls inwardly into engagement with the forming tool. As the partial vacuum is drawn, the protrusion moves to a second shape that may be different than the first shape and that closely conforms to the selected shape of the forming tool. The protrusion is cooled below the malleable temperature and the forming tool is then removed.

Abstract: A method of forming a joint (32) between two plastics extrusions (10) is disclosed which comprises mitring the extrusions (10) so that they form the desired angle to one another, removing part of the rear face of each extrusion (10) placing the mitred extrusions in a mould and injecting a resin material whereby to bond the extrusions (10) to one another and produce the desired joint (32) configuration. Because the front surface (24) of the joint in accordance with the invention is entirely made up from the original extrusion, there are no problems with raised sight-lines, colour differentials, surface differences, or colour matching. Moreover, the method of the invention allows a corner to be produced which has a clean right angled rather than radiused inner portion.

Abstract: A method of making a cannula includes providing a plurality of polymer reservoirs with each reservoir containing a polymer material and providing a nozzle mounted within each reservoir of the plurality of reservoirs. The method further includes one or more of preheating the mandrel, generating a polymer material wave from each nozzle, rotating the mandrel over the nozzles to form an initial coat on the mandrel, curing the initial coat, depositing a reinforcing material around a selected section of the mandrel and ensuring that the reinforcing material is held in place at the selected section of the mandrel. The method further includes rotating each section of the mandrel over a selected nozzle to form an additional coat, curing the additional coat, and removing the tubular structure from the mandrel.

Abstract: A method of making a cannula utilizing dispense molding includes providing at least one dispense nozzle that dispenses a polymer material, providing a mandrel, moving at least one of the mandrel and at least one dispense nozzle relative to one another to produce an alternating pattern of polymer material along a longitudinal axis of the mandrel to form a tubular structure, and removing the tubular structure from the mandrel.

Abstract: The texturing, patterning and bending of a solid surface material. The end product can be achieved both through casting technologies and heat pressure processes. Controlled surface deformation can be created in a pre-manufactured flat sheet and the sheet can then be heated and bent using conventional thermoforming technology. This contrasts considerably with the conventional norm, whereby an embossed solid surface sheet, when reheated, loses its embossing.

Abstract: A process for producing a biodegradable and bioabsorbable implant material, which comprises forging a billet comprising and biodegradable and bioabsorbable crystalline polymer at a low temperature and then forging the same once more or in a plurality of times at a low temperature by changing its press-forcing direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a bone joining device having a head portion, the method comprising the step of press-molding a (primary) molded article to form a head portion, and a bone joining device having a head portion, wherein the molecular orientation in the (primary) molded article is substantially maintained.

Abstract: A resin molded article is produced by performing extrusion molding of a thermoplastic amorphous resin containing a dispersion phase, and then rolling it. According to a molecular orientation associated with an elongation of the dispersion phase in the rolling direction, it is possible to provide the resin molded article having an increased elastic modulus and a reduced coefficient of linear expansion.

Abstract: In a method of reinforcing an existing concrete electric pole having an annular side wall, an inner hollow portion provided therein and an opening portion formed to a position of the annular side wall to be penetrated therethrough, at least one of a predetermined amount of mortar, a predetermined amount of sand and a predetermined amount of gravel is injected into the inner hollow portion of the electric pole through the opening portion. A reinforcing member for reinforcing the electric pole is injected into the inner hollow portion of the electric pole through the opening portion.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film for a high-density magnetic recording medium, particularly a high-density magnetic recoding medium of linear recording system, which has high strength in longitudinal and transverse directions, excellent dimensional stability in a crosswise direction and is flat and excellent in output characteristics and a process for producing the same. The biaxially oriented film is made from polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate and has a Young's modulus in a longitudinal direction of 8 GPa or more, a Young's modulus in a transverse direction of 6 GPa or more, a temperature expansion coefficient in the transverse direction (?t) of ?5×10?6/° C. to +12×10?6/° C., a humidity expansion coefficient in the transverse direction (?h) of 5×10?6/% RH to 12×10?6/% RH and a thermal shrinkage factor in the transverse direction at 105° C. of ?0.5 to +1.

Abstract: A method and device for the production of a closure cap having a first part (16, 17) and a second part (18), joined together by at least one thinner section (19). The device contains a female mould part (11) and a male mould part (12), which are moveable relative to one another, in order to enclose a mould cavity. After the closing of the mould cavity, an additional mould part (14) is moveable relative to the mould cavity. In order to reduce the volume thereof, until the plastics material fills the mould cavity completely. Consequently the invention ensures that when compression moulding in the mould cavity, the closure cap and in particular also the thinner section (19) are formed completely in the mould provided.

Abstract: A headliner assembly, for use with a vehicle having a roof, includes a headliner body that is positionable proximate the roof, and a support frame attached to the headliner body. The support frame cooperates with the headliner body to provide a sufficient structural characteristic such that the headliner assembly is self-supporting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming laminate composite structures. At least two laminae, each containing electrically conductive reinforcing fibers, are placed upon each other in contacting relationship to form a generally layered structure. The layered structure may be subjected to heat to conductively transfer heat through the layered structure and thereby improve the surface contact between two laminae. The layered structure is volumetrically heated by inductively transferring energy to the electrically conductive reinforcing fibers. The heated, layered structure is consolidated, such as by applying pressure and reducing the temperature of the layered structure. The consolidated structure is then quenched by rapidly cooling the consolidated structure in a directionally controlled manner about a midplane thereof.