Abstract: A process, and related structure, uses conventional pelletized compositions to form the elements of a non-textile fabric by coining a single pellet or briquette of a polymer into an individual element in a single forming step. The steps of the process generally include: a) positioning a pellet in or adjacent to a mold cavity, and b) forcing the pellet into contact with the mold surfaces of the mold cavity to plastically deform the pellet to the shape of the mold cavity. The forcing step preferably uses an energy and speed where the pellet superplastically deforms to substantially fill the mold cavity. This process is repeated with the elements being formed in the appropriate order to form a non-textile fabric. The elements thus formed can have a variety of shapes, and can form base units for the formation of the non-textile fabric of two, three or more elements.

Abstract: A balloon folding device comprises a first die having an external contacting surface and a second die having a cavity. A portion of the cavity comprises a contacting surface shaped complimentary to the external contacting surface of the first die. The second die is movable with respect to the first die. A balloon catheter having a primary balloon and a secondary balloon is oriented with the secondary balloon located between the first die and the second die. The secondary balloon is folded by moving the second die toward the first die until the contacting surfaces of the dies contact, fold and deflate the secondary balloon. In some embodiments, the dies are moved until at least a portion of the external contacting surface of the first die is oriented within the cavity of the second die.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for introducing a helical formation (11) into a flexible tubular material (12). The material (12) is supported together with a surrounding helical former (13) so as to deform the material (12) to have a helical indentation (11) corresponding to the shape of the former (13). The material (12) is then set in that configuration and the former (13) is removed.

Abstract: The invention provides a semi-continuity fiber prepreg material, a manufacturing method thereof, and a composite material made of the semi-continuity fiber prepreg material. The semi-continuity fiber prepreg material includes a plurality of intermittency notches and/or continuity notches formed on a fiber prepreg material along at least one direction to make the fiber prepreg material soft and suitable for molding.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a structure by plastically deforming a processing portion provided at a movable segment, a restraint segment configured to restrain movement of the movable segment is provided before an external force is applied to the processing portion. After processing of the processing portion is completed, the restraint segment is removed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tampon pledget having a shaped tip. The present invention further provides a method for forming a tampon pledget having a shaped tip. The method includes a cooling step after the formation of the shaped tip, which results in the minimization and/or prevention of deformation of the shaped pledget tip during the remainder of processing up until the end use by a consumer.

Abstract: A golf club grip includes a first grip member and a second grip member. The first grip member has a dark color and a first material density. The second grip member which has a light color and a second material density which is greater than the first material density, wherein the first grip member is integrated with the second grip member in an edge-to-edge manner to form an elongated tubular structure. When the first grip member and the second grip member is heated to integrate with each other, particles of the second grip member crosses over the first grip member to form a predetermined amount of light color at the first grip member, while the light color formed at the first grip member is adapted to be overlaid by the dark color so as to render the light color and the dark color sharply distinguishable on the gold club grip.

Abstract: A method for compression molding of poly(arylene ether) powder comprises introducing a powder comprising unheated poly(arylene ether) powder to compaction equipment comprising a compression mold and subjecting the powder in the compression mold to a pressure sufficient to produce an article having a density greater than the unheated poly(arylene ether) powder wherein the pressure is applied at a temperature less than the glass transition temperature of the poly(arylene ether) powder.

Abstract: A method of aligning an imprint template with respect to a target region of a substrate is disclosed, the method including depositing a volume of an imprintable medium within the target region; contacting an imprint template to the imprintable medium so that the imprintable medium is compressed and allowing the imprint template, the target region, or both, to move laterally with respect to each other under interfacial tension forces between the target region and the imprint template, wherein a material which is less wetting than the substrate is provided in a configuration which at least partially surrounds the target region of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phenol resin obtained by reacting phenolic compounds with formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde-forming compounds. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of such a phenol resin, as well as to a molded product having a core of solid, inert parts impregnated with such a phenol resin.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a golf ball composed at least in part of a spherical elastomeric body. The method includes the steps of extruding a bar of an unvulcanized rubber compound for obtaining the elastomeric body, cutting the extruded bar into slugs of a given length, and coating the slug with a saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid metal salt in powder form having a melting point at or below a vulcanizing temperature. This method prevents the slugs from clumping together and improves mold releasability.

Abstract: A method for making a multilayer golf ball including a solid center having a center hardness, a plurality of laminates cut into a plurality of shapes formed around the center to create an inner ball, and a cover formed around the inner ball, wherein the plurality of layers can include at least a first layer having a hardness greater than the center hardness and a second layer having a hardness greater than the first layer hardness, and optionally a third layer disposed between the first and the second layers having a hardness greater than the first layer hardness.

Abstract: A molding apparatus includes a bottom platen, a bottom mold portion carried by the bottom platen, and a top platen overlying the bottom platen and the bottom mold portion. The top platen includes slots extending therethrough for receiving a molding material. The molding material is to be gravity deposited into the bottom mold portion. A top mold portion is carried by the top platen and is moveable between a molding material loading position and an article forming position. An actuator is coupled to the top mold portion for moving the top mold portion between the molding material loading position and the article forming position. The molding material loading position corresponds to when the top mold portion is non-overlying the bottom mold portion so that the molding material can be gravity deposited therein. The article forming position corresponds to when the top mold portion is overlying the bottom mold portion for molding an article.

Abstract: Systems to control an atmosphere about a substrate are described. The systems include a wall coupled to the substrate to create a resistance of the flow between different regions of the substrate.

Abstract: Solid-state deformation processing of crosslinked high molecular weight polymers such as UHMWPE, for example by extrusion below the melt transition, produces materials with a combination of high tensile strength and high oxidative stability. The materials are especially suitable for use as bearing components in artificial hip and other implants. Treated bulk materials are anisotropic, with enhanced strength oriented along the axial direction. The material is oxidatively stable even after four weeks of accelerated aging in a pressure vessel containing five atmospheres of oxygen (ASTM F2003). Because of its oxidative stability, the deformation processed material is a suitable candidate for air-permeable packaging and gas sterilization, which has thus far been reserved for remelted crosslinked UHMWPE.

Abstract: A method for improving the dimensional stability of PTFE membranes by the application of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to a PTFE membrane. The process reduces and/or eliminates the relaxation stress normally associated with PTFE membranes made using previously existing methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a component for connecting a fuselage cell skin to an annular rib of an aircraft, wherein the component is formed by bending of a flat blank along at last two edge lines and wherein the blank is formed by a CFRP. According to the invention the interlaminar sliding of the fiber layers is largely completed in a first forming step, while in a second forming step a consolidation of the component takes place by the use of pressure from the press on all sides by means of an upper tool and a lower tool. This enables complex components with at least two edge lines to be produced, which edge lines run at angles of approximately, preferably at angles of 309° to 90°, to each other, and which edge lines also lie in at least two different planes.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a substrate having a bed of hooks located therein, in particular a system or manufacturing a hook plate having hooks with enlarged shaped heads. The system can include the use of a heated generally flat coining plate, a resilient layer placed under the hook plate, and a forming sheet placed between the coining plate and the tops of stems to be coined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a sealed channel on the surface of a sheet made of a material with a particular extent of plasticity, the sheet forming a reactor block for a microfluidic reactor.

Abstract: A method of making a golf ball including the steps of providing a preform including an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a cure-altering material including a hydroquinone compound, a benzoquinone compound, a resorcinol compound, or a quinhydrone compound; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.

Abstract: A thermal bonding pattern for nonwoven fabric possessing improved abrasion resistance while retaining softness, comprising a basket-weave pattern or other pattern having a transition area (2) equal to at least 10% of bonding spot area (1) in FIG. 3, more preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 50% of bonding spot area (1), and most preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 100% of bonding spot area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a conductive structure having high electrical conductivity, and a method for manufacturing a dimensionally accurate separator for a fuel cell having high electrical conductivity. In the present invention, the cavity surface temperature of a mold is kept equal to or higher than the crystal melting temperature (Tm) of composite material until the shaping of the composite material melted in the mold is completed, and after the completion of the shaping process, the cavity surface temperature of the mold is controlled to be equal to or higher than a temperature 20° C. lower than the crystallization temperature (Tc) of the composite material but equal to or lower than a temperature 20° C. higher than the crystallization temperature of the composite material to harden the composite material.

Abstract: A method for spreading a conformable material between a substrate and a template having a mold. The method comprises positioning the mold to be in superimposition with the substrate defining a volume therebetween. A first sub-portion of the volume is charged with the conformable material through capillary action between the conformable material and one of the mold and the substrate. A second sub-portion of the volume is filled with the conformable material by creating a deformation in the mold.

Abstract: A production process includes providing an envelope and a mould, introducing the material to be moulded in the mould, placing the mould in the envelope, creating a low pressure in the envelope, and deforming the mould.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of imprinting substrate-supported or freestanding structures at low cost, with high pattern transfer yield, and using low processing temperature. Such methods overcome many of the above-described limitations of the prior art. Generally, such methods of the present invention employ a sacrificial layer of film.

Abstract: In an electroacoustic transducer (21) with a stationary transducer part (23) and with a membrane configuration (17) comprising a membrane (15) and a handling ring (1) for the membrane (15) connected with the membrane (15), the membrane configuration (17) is connected with the stationary transducer part (23) via the handling ring (1), and the handling ring (1) and membrane (15) are connected together via an interlocking connection.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a retro-reflective shell having a curved or irregular surface for reflecting light in all directions from a laminated product, comprising a substantially flat sheet of a plastic material and a reflective layer on at least one side of said flat sheet plastic material. The reflective layer comprises a transparent adhesive substance and transparent glass or plastic pearls with a diameter between 0.01 and 0.05 mm. The substance adheres to the flat sheet plastic material, to form the laminated product. The product is heated to a thermo-vacuum-forming temperature, whereupon the product is vacuum-formed on a mould having the desired curved or irregular surface shape, in order to form a shell.

Abstract: An improved method of imprint lithography involves using fluid-induced pressure from electric or magnetic fields to press a mold onto a substrate having a moldable surface. In essence, the method comprises the steps of providing a substrate having a moldable surface, providing a mold having a molding surface and pressing the molding surface and the moldable surface together by electric or magnetic fields to imprint the molding surface onto the moldable surface. The molding surface advantageously comprises a plurality of projecting features of nanoscale extent or separation, but the molding surface can also be a smooth planar surface, as for planarization. The improved method can be practiced without mechanical presses and without sealing the region between the mold and the substrate.

Abstract: A multicomponent carbon nanotube-polymer complex, a composition for forming the same, and a preparation method thereof are disclosed herein. A multicomponent carbon nanotube-polymer complex may include carbon nanotubes surface-modified with double bond-containing functional groups or carbon nanotubes surface-modified with oxirane groups and/or carbon nanotubes surface-modified with anhydride groups; a polymer binder; and/or acid-treated carbon nanotubes and/or pristine carbon nanotubes. The multicomponent carbon nanotube-polymer complex may exhibit remarkably improved mechanical and hardening properties, compared with conventional complexes using only carbon nanotubes and a polymer binder, and thus may be advantageously used as an electromagnetic wave shielding material and a conductive material.

Abstract: An method of making an orthopaedic bearing includes securing polymer composite to a metallic component. An orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a membrane for a device, e.g. a microphone, includes providing a substrate is provided on which a counter electrode is disposed. A sacrificial layer is provided on a surface of the counter electrode facing away from the substrate. The surface of the sacrificial layer facing away from the counter electrode is structured to form a plurality of recesses in the surface to define one or several antistick elements and one or several corrugation grooves at the same time. Subsequently, a membrane material is deposited on the structured surface of the sacrificial layer. Then, the sacrificial layer is removed to form the membrane, which has one or several corrugation grooves and one or several antistick elements.

Abstract: An orthopaedic bearing includes a ceramic component having a polymer composite secured thereto. A method of making an orthopaedic bearing is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nonwoven webs comprising visible compressed sites and more particularly to disposable pre-moistened nonwoven webs comprising non-thermoplastic fibers exhibiting a fiber length of less than about 15 mm and one or more compressed sites comprising the non-thermoplastic fibers, wherein at least one of the one or more compressed sites is visible when wet, wipes comprising such nonwoven webs and methods for making such nonwoven webs.

Abstract: A method of making a lasted skate boot having an upper for enclosing and supporting a human foot having an ankle, a plantar surface, a lateral side, a medial side, and toes. The method comprises (a) forming lateral and medial quarter panels by thermoforming a sheet of foam material such that at least one of the quarter panels comprises an inner surface shaped to substantially conform to one of the lateral and medial sides of the foot; (b) assembling to the quarter panels a toe box for enclosing the toes of the foot, an inner lining having an inner surface adapted to contact the foot in use, and a tongue extending upwardly and rearwardly from the toe box to form the upper; and (c) affixing to the upper an insole for facing the plantar surface of the foot.

Abstract: A composite sports racquet frame including a frame made of composite material, the frame including a head portion configured to receive and surround a string bed with a plurality of string segments, and a handle portion. The head portion includes a tip section on an opposite end of the frame from the handle portion, and the tip section includes a solid cross-section substantially throughout and the remainder of the head portion includes a hollow cross-section substantially throughout.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and a method for reshaping a footwear shell, the apparatus includes a support structure, a drive mechanism and external mold arrangement that drives the external mold toward or away from the shell being reshaped; and an internal mold assembly that includes an angled support arm having a first leg adapted to couple to one of a selection of couplings provided in the support structure and a second leg offset from the first leg at an angle ?. The internal mold assembly also includes an adapter that is rotatably fixed to the second leg of the angled support arm, and a static mold removably fixed to the adapter and coaxially aligned with a common axis extending through the external mold and static mold, the support arm angle ? provides an improved support shape that improves placement of the static mold within the footwear shell during reshaping.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for tensioning material (12) over a mold (14), such as a cure tool, comprises a tensioning fork (10) consisting of two substantially parallel tapered legs (18,20) between which material (12) is disposed. A tensioning fork (10) is positioned at a first side edge (42) and proximate a first end edge (38) of the material (12). A first leg (18) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed under the material (12), and a second leg (20) of the tensioning fork (10) is disposed over the material (12). When force is applied to the second leg (20), it pivots about the first leg (18) along the length of the legs, remaining parallel to the first leg (18), thereby pressing a portion of the material (12) against the mold (14).

Abstract: A method for rounding at least a part of an edge of an opening in a tubular body formed of thermo-formable material, wherein a mandrel is brought into contact with the edge and the mandrel has a temperature that allows it to permanently deform the material of the tubular body and a product thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring a pattern from a template (1) to an object (12) in an imprint process, using a two-step process. The first step includes contacting a pattern of the template surface with a polymer material comprising one or more Cyclic Olefin Copolymers (COCs), to produce a flexible polymer replica having a structured surface with an inverse of the pattern of the template surface. In a second step, after releasing the flexible polymer replica from the template, the inverse pattern of the flexible polymer replica is pressed into a resist layer on a substrate, to imprint a replica of the pattern of the template surface in therein.

Abstract: An imprint lithography method is disclosed, which includes imprinting a plurality of patterns in an imprintable medium provided on a substrate, wherein the order in which the patterns are imprinted in the imprintable medium is such that, for the majority of the patterns, two consecutively imprinted patterns are not imprinted adjacent to one another.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for forming tissue holding devices having predetermined shapes suitable for use in surgical applications, and devices formed in accordance with such methods are also provided. These methods include press forming methods, and press forming methods in combination with profile punching. Tissue holding devices formed in accordance with such methods include various configurations for a core and a plurality of tissue holding elements extending outwardly from the core.

Abstract: A one-piece container closure with a collar, stiff planar triangular leaflets attached by linear hinges to the collar, and thin flexible foldable webs attached to and extending between the leaflets. The leaflets are flat with the webs folded beneath in closed closure position. The leaflets are pivoted upwardly with webs unfolded therebetween in open position. An integral cap is attached to the collar by a snap-action bow-tie hinge. A central pin on the cap seals with the leaflets when the cap is closed. The closure is integrally molded in open position with raised leaflets and unfolded webs, leaflets then being lowered and the webs folded to closed position while the closure is still warm, the cap then being closed, and the closed closure then being annealed to establish the elastic positional memory of the leaflets and hinges in the closed position when product is not being dispensed through the closure.

Abstract: A core having a center, and a mantle layer comprising a thermoplastic resin composition is provided. Next, a reinforcing layer including a thermosetting resin composition is formed on the surface of this core to obtain a spherical body 40. Next, this spherical body 40 is covered by two pieces of half shell 46. Next, the spherical body 40 and the half shells 46 are placed into a mold 32. Next, the mold 32 is clamped at a velocity of 0.01 mm/sec or greater and 1.0 mm/sec or less. The thermoplastic resin composition of the half shell 46 is heated while being compressed in the spherical cavity to result in flow. This thermoplastic resin composition is hardened to give a cover having a thickness of 0.1 mm or greater and less than 0.7 mm. The difference (T?Fc) between the molding temperature T and the incipient fluidization temperature Fc of the thermoplastic resin composition of the cover is 0° C. or greater and 30° C. or less.

Abstract: Load-bearing articles are manufactured from shape defining compressible cores and thermoplastic shells. The manufacture of these articles requires specific methods and tools. Articles that can be manufactured using these methods include relatively lightweight pallets with high load-bearing capacity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a functional cornstalk board and a preparation method thereof. The functional cornstalk board includes 1 to 10 parts by weight of a curing agent, based on the total weight of the mixture of 6 to 10 parts by weight of cornstalk and 0.2 to 2 parts by weight of a binder or silicate. It is obtained by molding the raw material at a molding temperature of 120 to 210° C. and a molding pressure of 10 to 30,000 kgf/cm2 for 0.5 to 20 minutes using a semiautomatic or multistage automatic heat press device.

Abstract: A reverse molded, plant-on decorative panel component comprises a panel portion lying on a first plane, a skirt portion, and a contoured portion. The skirt portion has a first surface adapted to be exteriorly disposed and an opposite second surface adapted to be interiorly disposed in order to be adhesively secured to a planar surface. The contoured portion extends outwardly from and surrounds the panel portion and interconnects and is integral with the panel portion and the skirt portion. The skirt portion extends peripherally about the contoured portion.

Abstract: In a mold, at least a first half includes an insert member forming a cavity surface on one end side; a body member having an insertion part into which the insert member is inserted; and an insert member fixer interposed between the insert member and the insertion part, for holding the insert member. The insert member fixer is made of a shape memory alloy, and presses and holds the insert member when the insert member fixer restores its memorized shape, to make a center axis alignment of the insert member with respect to the body member.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper includes setting a straight plate member to a die having a cavity, the plate member having a formation surface on which a predetermined pattern structure is formed, and feeding a continuous body into the cavity and pressurizing the plate member with the continuous body, to deform an entire shape of the formation surface of the plate member set to the die into a shape corresponding to the cavity.

Abstract: Rapid heating of a lithographic printing plate is achieved by feeding the printing plate along a substantially curved path that is adjacent to one or more curved pads of an air bearing that is pressurized with heated air. The one or more curved pads are constructed such that the substantially curved path is curved with an axis of curvature substantially perpendicular to the feed direction of the printing plate. The plate is additionally elastically bent to follow and conform to the substantially curved path. The substantially curved path minimizes printing plate distortion during heating, and thus prevents the plate from being damaged from contact with any of the one or more curved pads. The one or more curved pads are also arranged to allow for exceptionally good heat transfer characteristics and thus more effective plate heating.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole and an upper, the sole comprising a plantar insert, at least one layer for covering the lower surface of the plantar insert with perimetric edges which substantially protrude outward with respect to the contour of the plantar insert, at least one flap for covering the upper surface of the plantar insert, which also has a perimetric border substantially protruding outward from the contour of the plantar insert. The edge and the border are rigidly coupled to each other and to the upper. The covering layer of the lower surface of the plantar insert can be covered with a base of wear-resistant material.