Abstract: A die in combination with a panel includes a die and a panel. The die includes a stamping surface and an outer edge. The panel includes an outer surface, and the outer surface includes a recessed portion. The recessed portion includes a contact surface, indicia on the contact surface, and a non-contact surface. The contact surface has a perimeter, and the non-contact surface defines a channel, which is positioned adjacent the perimeter of the contact surface and at least partially surrounds the contact surface. Methods of forming indicia on a panel are also discussed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a grain bin sensor cable including a plurality of mold members defining a mold cavity. A pre-formed cable with wires disposed therein is placed into the mold cavity, heated, and formed into a post-formed cable. The post-formed cable includes a recessed portion and a pair of end caps. Apertures are created within the recessed portion so as to expose a portion of the wires. The end caps are generally cone-shaped and include vertical walls. The post-formed cable is removed from the mold cavity and a sensor package is coupled to the wires exposed in the recessed portion and captured between the vertical walls of the end caps. A housing is coupled about the sensor package.

Abstract: A clothing for supporting a wet paper web for dewatering is provided, comprising a dewatering fabric extending in a machine direction and formed only from a woven material to have a single, substantially consistent, permeability. A pair of laterally-spaced strip portions extend along the dewatering fabric in the machine direction, with each being substantially and consistently impermeable to air and forming a substantially and consistently smooth non-water-retaining surface. The strip portions define a permeable web-carrying portion of the dewatering fabric therebetween, wherein the paper web carried thereby extends over the entire width thereof. The permeable web-carrying portion allows air to flow therethrough, exclusively of the impermeable strip portions, such that the wet paper web carried only by the permeable web-carrying portion is dewatered. The width of the permeable web-carrying portion thereby defines the width of the wet paper web dried thereon. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and materials for preparing bridging films. In one aspect, the bridging films are non-porous and are suitable for protecting adjacent porous films. For example, the bridging films contact a porous film and protect the porous film from transfer of gases and/or liquids into the pores of the porous film. In another example, bridging films protect the porous film from abrasion.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a film of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin comprising: (a) subjecting a starting ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin with a weight average molecular weight of at least 500 000 gram/mole in powder form to a compacting step using an isobaric press; and (b) subjecting the compacted polyolefin to a rolling step and at least one stretching step under such conditions that at no point during the processing of the polymer its temperature is raised to a value above its melting point. The process allows for the manufacture of ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin films of high quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising polylactide and, based on the weight of this polymer, from 17 to 25 wt % of a chain modifier, from 30 to 55 wt % of an elastomeric polymer and from 20 to 45 wt % of a plasticizer. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said composition as well as to the method of manufacturing an article starting from said composition and the article per se.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, such as a container or container lid, and to a thermoformed article, in particular a packaging article, e.g. in form of a container or container lid. At least one threaded or catch segment projecting in a radial direction is formed on such an article in order to provide a thread-like or bayonet-coupling-like structure and thus a possibility for closing the article.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical dosage form comprises a solid dispersion product of at least one active ingredient dispersed in a polymeric binder composition, the polymeric carrier composition comprising a) a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer, wherein at least 95% by weight of the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer has a molecular weight distribution within the range of from 1000 to 13 000; and b) a vinylpyrrolidone copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of from 5000 to 1 500 000. The dosage form is preferably prepared by a melt extrusion process. The polymeric carrier composition exhibits a high drug dissolution power and allows a reduction of the viscosity of the melt without deteriorating the mechanical properties and storage stability of the dosage form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a foam product (1), whereby a body (2) of expanded closed-cell foam, in particular expanded polystyrene particle foam, is subjected to a non-melting heat treatment at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the plastic used to form the foam, in particular polystyrene.

Abstract: A vehicle structural clement made of plastic has at least one carbon filler reinforced region and at least one fiberglass reinforced region. In a method for producing the vehicle structural element, a pre-heated carbon fiber reinforced region and a pre-heated fiberglass reinforced region are placed in a press and shaped.

Abstract: A method of preparing a cured thermoplastic material includes curing a thermoplastic polymer having a thermal decomposition temperature greater than or equal to about 200° C., at a temperature of about 200° C. to about 400° C., for a total time of less than or equal to 200 hours. A method of making a shape memory material also includes curing a thermoplastic polymer to prepare a cured thermoplastic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel biaxial forming process for a preform made of a polymer material which comprises polymethyl methacrylate, to an apparatus for carrying out the process, and also to novel components obtained from a biaxial forming process and their use.

Abstract: A method for forming a tubular sheet product roll includes providing a sheet product roll having a first configuration and a void, centering a rotational axis of the sheet product roll on a longitudinal axis of a first tool, and inserting the first tool into the void of the sheet product roll to define an inner diameter of the void and to form the sheet product roll having a second configuration different from the first configuration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a flexible and self-supporting insulating end cone liner comprising resilient and compressible non-intumescent material molded into a single, continuous piece having a three dimensional cone shape, with the insulating material comprising inorganic fibers and a binder, as well as a method of making a pollution control device that includes such an end cone liner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for hot embossing of a magnetic nanoparticle (N)-containing polymer layer and a method for hot embossing of a magnetic nanoparticle-containing polymer layer.

Abstract: Polymeric composite stents reinforced with fibers for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a formliner is disclosed. The process includes applying a formliner material to a mold, the mold having pocket molds for producing formliner pockets and a lattice of ridge molds for producing formliner ridges, then forming the formliner, and then demolding the formliner from the mold to produce the formliner having the formliner pockets and the formliner ridges. The lattice of the ridge molds have texture for producing texture in the formliner ridges and/or the mold includes a rigid high-density urethane closed cell foam or a rigid polyisocyanurate foam.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing an overlapping formliner is disclosed. The process includes applying a formliner material to a mold, the mold having pocket molds for producing formliner pockets and a lattice of ridge molds for producing formliner ridges, then forming the overlapping formliner, the overlapping formliner having a varied ridge width being configured to be positioned to overlap an adjacent formliner, and then demolding the formliner from the mold to produce the formliner having the formliner pockets and the formliner ridges.

Abstract: To provide a highly heat-resistant brake pad adaptable to high temperatures/high loads and producible only by adding a baking step to the same production process as that for an organic friction material. A friction material comprising a fibrous material, a friction modifier, a binder and an inorganic material, wherein a silicon-containing polymer is blended as a binder and after thermoforming, the polymer is heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature of 160 to 350° C. for 1 to 10 hours to cause crosslinking with oxygen and then, subjected to a baking treatment. As the silicon-containing polymer, one compound or two or more compounds are preferably selected from the group consisting of polycarbosilane, polyorganoborosilazane, polyborosiloxane, polycarbosilazane, and perhydropolysilazane.

Abstract: An improved pipe belling process is shown which features a mandrel having a specially designed backup or forming collar. The backup collar has an outer contact surface which forms an undulating pattern when viewed in cross section. The undulating surface reduces the contact area between the outer contact surface of the collar and the lip region of a plastic pipe being belled, thereby lowering the coefficient of friction that exists between the pipe lip region and the collar.

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 device is formed by the process into a bone screw or fastener, wherein the head has a degree of polymer alignment and strength, and wherein the shank has a higher degree of polymer alignment and strength. In practice of the present invention, the polymer slug is pressed into the die cavity by the actuation of ram press, causing the slug to conform to the die cavity. Through this process, the polymer molecular orientation is aligned to different degrees, in different zones of the device.

Abstract: An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic Lorentz actuator arrangement configured to move an imprint template arrangement, the electromagnetic Lorentz actuator arrangement comprising: an array of magnets; and an array of conductors, each conductor configured to carry an electric current, one of the array of magnets or the array of conductors being moveable and connected to the imprint template arrangement, and the other of the array of magnets or the array of conductors extending at least partially around or forming a part of a substrate holder; the array of magnets and the array of conductors together being in a configuration which facilitates moving of the moveable one of the array of magnets or the array of conductors in six degrees of freedom, such that the imprint template arrangement is also movable in six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoforming device for thermoforming a product (1) from a plastic foil (23), and to a corresponding method. The invention relates particularly to a thermoforming process and device in which a slot (2) is arranged in a product (1) to be formed. The invention also relates to a product (1), particularly a flowerpot, manufactured using this thermoforming device or method. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the cutting sleeve (10) and cutting plate (7) and/or hold-down element (8) define an auxiliary cutting line through which the plastic foil (23) is cut in order to arrange a slot (2) in the product (1) to be formed. The functions of slot-forming and product-foil separation are hereby performed by substantially the same components.

Abstract: The invention relates to oligomers (O2) having a terminal group comprising at least one epoxide function, to their preparation method, to their uses as an additive in a polymeric composition for fluidifying and/or improving stability of said composition.

Abstract: A method of molding composite plastic sheet material to form a compression molded, deep-drawn article is provided. The method includes placing a heated blank of moldable, composite plastic sheet material over a female die having an article-defining cavity defined by inner surfaces of the die so that the heated blank has a predetermined position and orientation over the cavity. Then an inner portion of the heated blank is forced into the cavity along a substantially vertical axis and against the inner surfaces of the die to obtain deep-drawn material. Outer peripheral portions of the heated blank adjacent the cavity are controllably held with corresponding predetermined holding forces based on the size and shape of the article to resist movement of the outer peripheral portions towards the cavity during the step of forcing wherein the deep-drawn material controllably stretches during the step of forcing without wrinkling, tearing or ripping.

Abstract: Described herein are polymer low profile microtiter plates suitable for use in a variety of laboratory and clinical settings. The microtiter plates described herein also are compatible with automated or manual liquid dispensing devices and high throughput robotic biological work stations.

Abstract: A composite formulation consisting of agglomerated industrial/residential sewer sludge and recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and/or polypropylene (PP) materials. The recycled plastic materials act as a binder for the pozzolan industrial/residential sewer sludge. The composite formulation can be produced in a batching process wherein the sieved dried sewer sludge and the recycled plastic in appropriate small cut pieces is fed into a large plastic extruder, heated and extruded into specific structures. The formulation can also be compounded using a compression mold wherein sieved dry sewer sludge are added to heated chopped recycled plastics and heat mixed to produce pellets or directed into a compression mold to create a structural member of predetermined shape.

Abstract: A process for forming a sheet of thermoplastic material into a three-dimensional shape comprising at least one vertex, the process comprising the steps of (i) forming the sheet by means of a former having a profile such as to produce a first formed shape in the sheet, followed by (ii) positioning a male former within the first formed shape, the male former having a profile within the first formed shape comprising at least one vertex and (iii) raising the temperature of the first formed shape above that of forming in step (i), thereby causing the first formed shape to shrink back towards its original sheet form and thereby adopting the profile of the male former.

Abstract: Provided is a process for forming a sheet of thermoplastic material into a three-dimensional shape, the process comprising the steps of (i) forming the sheet at a temperature below its glass transition temperature to produce a first formed shape in the sheet, followed by (ii) raising the temperature of the first formed shape (20) to above its glass transition temperature whilst a male former (12), having at least a portion of its profile being substantially the same as that of the first formed shape (20), is positioned to substantially align at least a portion of its profile with that of the first formed shape (20), thereby restricting the first formed shape from shrinking back towards its original sheet form, followed by (iii) further forming the first formed shape (20) at a temperature below that of the glass transition temperature, to form a second formed shape (24), followed by (iv) raising the temperature of the second formed shape (24) to above its glass transition temperature whilst a male former (16),

Abstract: A method for producing a thermo formed part includes closing in a mold a heated sheet (L) made of thermoplastic material in such a manner as to deform the latter, then cooling it inside the mold until complete consolidation is achieved. During cooling, the sheet is cut along at least one edge portion (E) thereof, this cutting operation causing a bending of the edge portion against an abutment surface (1s) in the mold; and removing the upper half-mold from the lower half-mold once the consolidation of the deformed sheet has been attained. During the cooling of the sheet inside the mold, subsequently to the cutting operation a folding operation is performed, this folding operation includes moving the abutment surface away from the edge portion of the sheet, and operating on the edge portion in such a manner as to resume its bending towards a support surface (2s) of the sheet in the mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for stretching film sections in a monoaxial or biaxial manner, preferably by way of a tenter frame, for films made substantially of polymers, wherein a square or rectangular section of a such film is seized at 4 sides by at least two tenter hooks each, designed as regards improved stretching such that the upper tenter hook part (11) is mounted in an articulated fashion on a rotational axis located outside the film to be stretched, and specifically such that the lower, fixed tenter hook part (13) carries the joint, while the upper tenter hook part (11) is designed so as to pivot upwards and at least one cylinder (14) is disposed rotated by 90° for applying the tensioning power and thus applies the tensioning power to the upper pivotable tenter hook part (11).

Abstract: A biodegradable component for a package for storing and dispensing a cosmetic product or a beauty care product is molded from compressed fibrous biomass bound by a cosmetically compatible and compostable binder.

Abstract: Polyolefin compositions and methods of making and using the polyolefin compositions are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a composition comprising a polyolefin, a compatibilizer, a starch and a plasticizer.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermally conductive sheet, having a thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of 10 W/m·K or more, includes a preparing step of preparing a resin composition containing a resin and a thermally conductive inorganic particle and a sheet forming step of forming a sheet by further increasing the viscosity after hot-pressing the resin composition to be brought from a melted state into a semi-solid state.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less than 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: A permeameter probe, configured for performing hydraulic conductivity measurements of soil, includes a standpipe having a top section, a transitional section, and a bottom section. The transitional section provides a gradual change in diameter between the larger diameter bottom section and the smaller diameter top section. The standpipe also includes a lower lip for forming a pressure fitting between the standpipe and a casing placed in a borehole.

Abstract: A flexible, semi-rigid or rigid container (1) made substantially from polymeric material has micro-porous mineral particles (7) embedded within it in order to increase its permeability and/or its compostability or degradability and to extend the shelf life of fresh produce (3) packed within it. The container (1) may additionally be provided with an anti-microbial coating on an internal surface or upon a substrate such as a bubble pad or self-adhesive label.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus of a preform to be used for an RTM forming, wherein a layered body consisting of a plurality of layered reinforcing-fiber base materials to which a fixing agent consisting primarily of a thermoplastic resin is attached is formed by heating into a predetermined shape, comprising a forming mold consisting of a first mold and a second mold facing each other, wherein, only the first mold is provided with a heating mechanism and a contact face of the second mold contacting the reinforcing-fiber base material is made of a material which is less thermally conductive than the first mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carrier tray includes softening and disposing a plastic film on a first mold, wherein the first mold includes a top surface and a first lateral surface, the top surface includes a recession and a first edge, the first lateral surface is connected to the top surface and extends from the first edge, and the first lateral surface and the top surface form a first included angle; attaching the plastic film to the top surface and the first lateral surface; disposing a restorer on an outer side of the first mold; separating the first mold from the plastic film, wherein the plastic film is pushed by the first lateral surface such that the restorer is moved from an initial position to a final position; and pushing the plastic film from the final position to the initial position by the restorer; and cooling the plastic film.

Abstract: The invention provides a new process for patterning TPE membranes for use in the design and fabrication of 3D microfluidic devices. The process involves patterning a TPE material without permitting the highest features of the mold to come into contact with the counter-plate, whereby adhesion between the TPE and the mold or counter-plate during demolding results directly in removal of the excess layer from the TPE membrane to produce well formed micrometric-sized open-through holes in the TPE membrane. The process permits rapid, reliable and efficient patterning of densely packed and arbitrarily placed micrometric open-through holes and channels of high aspect-ratio and any shape or wall profile in thin TPE membranes.

Abstract: In a belling machine and in a method of forming a socket at the heated end of a pipe made of thermoplastic material, an end (20) of a pipe (2) made of thermoplastic material on which a socket is to be formed is heated until it is in a deformable state, inserted in a forming chamber (1) and formed into a socket shape. Process air, taken from a compressed air source (30), is conveyed by a process air feed line (3) into an evaporator (40) of a refrigerating machine (4) using a refrigerant recirculating in a closed circuit and passes through the evaporator (40), resulting in transfer of heat from the process air to the refrigerant inside the evaporator (40). The process air treated in this way in the evaporator (40) is then conveyed by the process air feed line (3) to the forming chamber (1) into which it is introduced through an inlet (10), at least to cool the material of the end (20) of the pipe (2) at least by means of a process air flow inside the forming chamber (1).

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more die groups which are movable independently of one another, each including a female part having a matrix cavity and a male part destined to penetrate into the cavity such as to define a forming chamber of the product, the cavity configured to contain a batch of material. The apparatus further includes a heating station having a heater to bring the plastic material to the fluid state, and a die group cooling station downstream of the heating station. The die groups are free to be cyclically inserted in the heating station and subsequently transferred to the cooling station. A thrust group is associated to a respective die group and is configured to provide a thrust for penetrating the male part into the cavity during the stage of forming the product, the thrust group being integral with the respective die-group in displacements during the operations performed.

Abstract: A method of treating a hole formed in a catheter includes providing the catheter with an opening formed in a wall of the catheter from an external surface of the catheter to an internal surface of a lumen of the catheter such that the catheter has a sharp external edge formed between the external surface and the opening and a sharp internal edge formed between the opening and the internal surface of the lumen of the catheter. The method additionally includes pushing a proximal end of a mandrel into the opening formed in the wall of the catheter and rounding the sharp external edge of the opening formed in the wall of the catheter with a distal end of the mandrel. The method further includes maintaining the sharp internal edge formed between the opening and the internal surface of the catheter.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a polyvinyl acetal resin for thermoforming that allows providing a molded product that is excellent in thermal stability, and excellent in the heat resistance without harming the properties of the polyvinyl acetal resin, and the invention relates to a polyvinyl acetal resin for thermoforming, which is obtained by acetalization of a polyvinyl alcohol resin having a viscosity average polymerization degree of 500 to 2000 and a saponification degree of 99.5 mol % or more with aldehyde, wherein the sum of vinyl alcohol units acetalized with the aldehyde is 65 to 88 mol % with respect to the total repeating units, and the content of alkali metal or alkali earth metal is 0.1 to 50 ppm. The molar ratio of a vinyl alcohol unit acetalized with an aldehyde having four or more carbon atoms/a vinyl alcohol unit acetalized with an aldehyde having three or less carbon atoms is preferably 90/10 to 0/100.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for forming a three-dimensional image and, more particularly, for making three-dimensional digital image transfer thermoformed objects on, e.g., generic molds. The method includes manipulating digital images of a subject into a single image; printing the single image onto a media; and thermoforming the media with the single image using a generic mold. The system comprises a computer infrastructure operable to: receive images of a subject; display the images; stitch together the images to form a single image; adjust portions of the images or single image to compensate for deformation during thermoforming of the single image; register the single image with points on a mold; and print the single image.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially shell-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic part includes preheating a material blank that is formed of a fibrous material impregnated with a matrix material using a heating device to ensure the formability and placing the preheated material blank into a shaping tool having an upper die and a lower die. The shaping tool is then closed to form the material blank. Using a cooling device, at least one shaping surface of the shaping tool, with the material blank inserted, is at least partially cooled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device with which it is possible to arrange complicated shapes with considerable differences in height in wood fiber board, and in particular but not exclusively so called MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). The deformation of the wood fiber board which can be achieved is known in the art as extrusion, wherein a considerable plastic deformation takes place accompanied by flow and stretch of the material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic laboratory beaker that holds liquid in a reservoir portion of the beaker, in which the beaker includes a first upright, generally circular, outer sidewall and a second inner sidewall which are united at their upper limit height to form a lip edge or lip surface. The two sidewalls typically diverge from each other below the lip surface to create an air space between them. The outer sidewall extends downward a first distance D1 below the lip surface, and then usually bends outward to form a substantially planar supporting flange that at least partially supports the weight of said beaker on a laboratory surface. The inner sidewall extends downward a second distance D2 from the lip surface, and then bends inward to form a bottom wall for the reservoir portion that intersects the central vertical axis of said beaker, in which the inner sidewall and the bottom wall form the reservoir portion for holding a liquid.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a regenerated elastic roller which can be again used for the formation of high-quality electrophotographic images by sufficiently relaxing a compression set of the elastic roller having the compression set caused in an elastic layer in usage. The process for producing a regenerated elastic roller includes a step of heating an elastic roller having a conductive mandrel and an elastic layer and having a compression set caused in the elastic layer, in a cylindrical mold to thermally expand the elastic layer and to cause a surface of the elastic roller to contact an inner wall of the cylindrical mold.