Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for alleviating and/or preventing conditions relating to damaged joints. The device may be formed by moulding. Also the device may be formed with a hole or a slit to fit into the joint and lock the device around intra-articular components. A further aspect of invention relates to method for introducing the prosthetic device into a joint, such as a method comprising locking the device to an intro-articutar component. Also the invention relates to an instrument for inserting a prosthetic device according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of creating a functional utility-surface on a thermoset composite component, including the steps of: fixing the position of a cured thermoset polymer composite component, the thermoset polymer composite component having a thermoplastic polymer surface layer attached to at least a portion of one surface thereof, the thermoset polymer composite component being fixed in position to allow access to the thermoplastic polymer surface layer; and shaping the thermoplastic polymer surface to form a functional utility-surface.

Abstract: In a method for molding a resin piston by charging a preheated resin tablet into a cavity of a molding die, and by carrying out compression molding while heating, at a time point when an internal pressure of the cavity arrives at a determined pressure, by pressurizing a pressurizing margin in the molding die, resin which overflows from the molding die is discharged from a passage which is defined in an area except an outer circumferential surface of the piston, while the internal pressure of the cavity is maintained. After a thermosetting cycle has finished, the molding die 21 is opened.

Abstract: A piece of corrugated pipe cut from a longer length of pipe is provided with a pipe coupling part by subjecting one or more of the corrugation crests on the pipe to heat and pressure. This reshapes the one or more corrugations to form a seal receiving recessed spigot on the piece of pipe.

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: The method and system for rapid press forming and consolidation of a sheet of thermoformable material provides for molding of articles with complex shapes. The sheet of thermoformable material is suspended on a movable frame and transferred on a track to a preheating and preconsolidation station, where it is heated, and rapidly transferred suspended on the movable frame via the track to a molding and consolidation station for rapid press forming and consolidation with a hydraulic punch that applies pressure uniformly in all directions, to substantially eliminate wrinkles in the formed product.

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: The invention relates to a radiation-curable laminated sheet or film comprising at least one substrate layer and a top layer which comprises a radiation-curable material having a glass transition temperature below 50° C. and having a high double bond density, processes for the production thereof and the use thereof.

Abstract: The method includes providing a mold apparatus (1) that includes, a first mold portion (11) having an interior mold surface (14) having a plurality of perforations (26) and a perimeter edge (17). The mold apparatus (11) further includes at least one tubular sheet retainer (35) having an exterior surface (38) having a plurality of perforations (41) and a longitudinal axis (44) that is oriented along at least a portion of the perimeter edge (17) of the first mold portion (11). Each tubular sheet retainer (35) is reversibly and controllably: (i) positionable along an x-, y- and/or z-axis relative to the perimeter edge (17); and (ii) rotatable around its longitudinal axis (44), toward and/or away from the perimeter edge (17). A heated thermoplastic sheet (95) is formed and contacted (while at a thermoformable temperature) with the interior surface (14) of the first mold portion (11) and the exterior surfaces (38) of the tubular sheet retainers (35).

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use in rotomolding or slush molding applications of a composition comprising a polyolefin, a processing aid and optionally a UV-stabilizer.

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: 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: The invention relates to a device for the production of an angle for connecting a fuselage cell skin to an annular former and/or a stringer inside a fuselage cell structure of an aircraft, the angle taking place by the one-step deformation of an initially planar blank along at least three fold lines in a uniaxial compression moulding device. A mounting frame with hinges is arranged in the compression moulding device, the blank to be deformed being accommodated along the edges preferably by means of a plurality of peripherally arranged springs. A deformation of the blank into an auto-stabilised angle is possible in one step while simultaneously ensuring interlaminar slide. Due to the constructively conditioned auto-stabilisation of the angle, additional components which increase the weight and the assembly effort (so-called “stabilos”) in the connection region between fuselage cell skin, stringers and annular formers inside a fuselage structure of an aircraft are unnecessary.

Abstract: A thin-walled cup is formed of a single piece of polymeric material having a uniform thickness throughout the extent of the single piece of polymeric material. The cup has an outer chamber which extends around an inner chamber. The outer chamber holds a first liquid and the inner chamber holds a second liquid. The liquid in the inner chamber is mixed with the liquid in the outer chamber during drinking from the cup. The cup is made by a thermoforming process. The thermoforming process may include embossing indicia on the cup.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermoformed articles from pre-cut thermoformable billets are provided. The system may include a heating apparatus for heating the billets, a billet thermoformer for thermoforming the billet into an article, a discharge system for evacuated the formed articles from the thermoformer, and an inspection system for inspecting each of the formed articles for the presence of a defect. Conveyors and billet carriers are provided for transporting the billets between the various components of the system, and loaders are provided for loading the billets onto the conveyor and/or billet carriers.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a partitioning device for separating a chamber of a patient's heart into a productive portion and a non-productive portion. The device is particularly suitable for treating patients with congestive heart failure. The partitioning device has a frame-reinforced, expandable membrane which separates the productive and non-productive portions of the heart chamber. Elements of the frame include ribs that are secured to the expandable membrane, to form an integrated structure that may be unilaminar or bilaminar in form. The proximal ends of the ribs of the frame have tissue-penetrating elements about the periphery thereof which are configured to penetrate tissue lining the heart wall at an angle approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the partitioning device. The partitioning device has a hub with a non-traumatic distal end to engage the ventricular wall.

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: A mold assembly (100) formed of a pair of molds (102, 104) and a pair of release plates (118, 120). The molds (102, 104) have holes (126) which extend from outer surfaces into the mold cavities (106). The release plates (118, 120) have pins (122, 124) which pass into the holes (126, 128). When molding is finished, the molds (102, 104) are moved toward the release plates (118, 120). The pins (122, 124) contact the molded article(s) (134) and hold them in position as the molds (102, 104) are withdrawn.

Abstract: A process is provided for bending a board in synthetic material filled with more than 20% by weight of alumina trihydrate in a methyl methacrylate matrix: a section of the board is heated so that it can be bent; the section to be bent is bent while holding the convex upper surface of the board such that it does not become elongated. Also provided are a device for implementing such a process, and a bent board obtained by such a process.

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: In a method of producing a folded honeycomb structure for a sandwich component a sheet-like material is provided. The sheet-like material comprises a softening temperature and is heated to at least the softening temperature in a region about predetermined folding lines. Then, the sheet-like material is folded along the heated region of the folding lines into the folded honeycomb structure.

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: The technical problem of this invention is to establish a method of processing a synthetic resin tube, in which the shape of a part of the tube wall is changed to form easily an attractively hollowed and/or raised portion in a fairly wide area of the tube wall. The object of this invention is to provide a tubular container having excellent decorativeness, appearance, or functionality that has never been found before.

Abstract: A method for producing a glass wool molded product includes the steps of processing a glass material into fibers so as to obtain a glass wool, gathering such glass wools to form a glass wool mat, and subjecting the glass wool mat to press molding, wherein the above described press molding is carried out, while supplying water so that the water content of the above described glass wool mat becomes 0.1% to 7.0% by mass, and while maintaining a temperature between 250° C. and 450° C.

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: To produce filled thermoplastic polymers starting from a waste thermoplastic base material, the base thermoplastic material is fed into a container (1) provided with a device for mixing and stirring (2,3) in which the base thermoplastic material is softened, the required filler is fed into said device and stirring is continued to thoroughly blend filler and softened material, subsequently collecting the softened and filled material from said container and subjecting it to an extrusion or other densification step.

Abstract: A vacuum forming apparatus has a forming die, a plurality of holding devices, a pressing device and a pair of supplemental holding devices. The forming die has at least one suction hole for creating a vacuum. The holding devices hold a resin sheet that has been softened by heating. The pressing device moves relative to the forming die to close a space therebetween and form an airtight state therebetween. Each of the supplemental holding devices includes a clamp member and a support member. The supplemental holding devices are movably arranged to move toward each other. The clamp members clamp the resin sheet on two sides of a selected sag area where the resin sheet will be made to sag. The support members extend along two side portions of the selected sag area for supporting a bottom surface of the resin sheet where the resin sheet will be made to sag.

Abstract: A self supporting curved laminate product resulting from curving of a planar precursor, wherein the planar precursor is a self supporting laminate of two sheets of an acrylic thermoplastic, or of sheets including an acrylic thermoplastic, spaced by, but attaching to, an interposed thermoset polyester system, and wherein curving has involved heating of the laminate sufficient to allow its curving without any substantial degradation of the lamination or its component layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses, inter alia, an authentication item manufactured on product units for encoding the product units as being authentic. The authentication item is an intensity-modulating surface comprising a plurality of adjacent protrusions such that the intensity-modulating surface has alternating height. Each of the protrusions has at least two slopes of respective different orientation. When being in an authenticating position with respect to incident electromagnetic radiation employed for authentication, the authentication item modulates the intensity of the electromagnetic radiation in a manner that generates an intensity profile which is characteristic of the authentication item. In the authentication position, the propagation direction of the incident electromagnetic radiation is at least approximately parallel to one of the at least two slopes of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bottomed cylindrical container, comprising a body wall, a bottom wall, and a ring-shaped foot downwardly extending from the bottom wall, said container being produced by thermo-molding a resin sheet, characterized in that said foot is formed by folding an inner wall by compressed fluid to be fusion-bonded with an outer wall, so as to form the foot comprising the inner wall and the outer wall. The present invention also provides a bottomed cylindrical container, comprising a body wall having a grounding edge at a lower end thereof, and a bottom wall, said container being produced by thermo-molding a resin sheet, characterized in that said bottom wall connects with an upper edge of an inner wall produced by folding back the body wall along the grounding edge and by fusion-bonding it to an inner periphery of the body wall. In addition, the present invention provides the methods for thermo-molding these containers and their apparatuses.

Abstract: A method of modifying compressive strains in formation of a pipe ring groove (16), in which a differential temperature profile is established across the pipe wall in a narrow bending locus (l3) corresponding to the ring groove position, and the material is bent to form the ring groove. The temperature differential creates a differential in elastic modulus between the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe material, modifying the strain induced in inner concave and outer convex surfaces of the ring groove during the bending step.

Abstract: An alternating pattern gel cushioning device and methods for making the same. The gel pattern may be two or three dimensional. The devices may be zoned or stacked. The device may be made by a variety of methods including roller molding, open face molding, injection molding, casting, extrusion, compression molding and other methods.

Abstract: A process for forming linear, thermoplastic weatherseals into a bend position is provided which avoids buckling of the thinner surfaces of the weatherseal material. The process involves the use of a support insert which supports the thinner surfaces during the bending operation, and thus assists in preventing the deformation of the thinner weatherseal surfaces. The support is preferable constructed of a material which is unaffected by temperatures higher than the heat-deformation temperature used to set the weatherseal material into a bent configuration, and thus, the support insert retains its linear shape when removed from the bending press, and therefore, can be reused. An improved process for manufacturing bent thermoplastic weatherseal material results.

Abstract: The invention provides a preform insulating end cone suitable for forming the end cone of a pollution control device. The preform insulating end cone includes a cone shaped intumescent or non-intumescent sheet material. The sheet material has a plurality of slits enabling the sheet material to be cone shaped. A shape retaining element is in intimate contact with the intumescent sheet material. The shape retaining element enables the intumescent sheet material to maintain a cone shape. The invention also provides methods of making preform insulating end cones of the invention.

Abstract: A mold for forming, molding or welding thermoplastic tubing extends through the aperture of an apertured spool supporting an RF energized coil to inductively heat a center section of the mold. A source of air is channeled through a manifold to flow about the center section of the mold and through the space between the mold and the aperture in the spool to rapidly cool the mold. Thermal chokes on each side of the center section of the mold impede heat transfer and a heat sink connected to each thermal choke serves to dissipate any heat build up. The spool may be translated along the center section of the mold to a predetermined location commensurate with a predetermined heat profile. The mold includes a passageway extending therethrough for receiving the tubing; by appropriate dimensioning, the passageway will accommodate the use of a mandrel to support the tubing to be formed, molded or welded.

Abstract: Provided is an imprint method that includes the steps of softening resist in an object to be processed, by using compressed gas or supercritical fluid, the object including a substrate and the resist applied onto the substrate, and transferring a predetermined pattern onto the resist by pressing a mold that forms the predetermined pattern against the resist in the object.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to eliminate the stacking of the trays into nests and removing the trays from the nest. Another objective is to eliminate the need for an increase size of the indentations and achieve a more snug fit. These objectives are accomplished by forming the tray insitu with the articles. This insures a snug fit and at the same time allows the articles to be removed from the tray as a unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a shaped article having a first surface with a first surface profile and a second surface with a second surface profile is provided. The apparatus includes a first end mold having a cavity formed therein, where the cavity is defined by a surface having at least a portion of the first surface profile. The apparatus includes an intermediate mold having a hole formed therein. The intermediate mold is distinct from the first end mold and is configured for stacking against the first end mold such that the hole is aligned with the cavity. The apparatus includes a second end mold having a protuberance formed on a surface thereof. The protuberance is defined by a surface having at least a portion of the second surface profile and is sized for insertion into the hole and cavity.

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: A process for producing plastics moldings including forming a molding from a castable reactive composition including at least one organic polymer component and at least one inorganic filler, wherein the average particle size of the filler is <150 ?m and the proportion of the inorganic filler present in the reactive composition is >50% by weight, based on the weight of the hardened molding; hardening the molding; and, after hardening, subjecting the molding to a forming process.

Abstract: A chilled air pressure box is provided for thermoforming a plastic sheet. The chilled air pressure box comprises a box, a box perimeter, an inlet valve, a compressed air source and a chilled air source. The box has an interior space within the box and defines an inlet opening. The box perimeter is for sealingly interfacing with a vacuum mold. The inlet valve is substantially disposed within the interior space, adjacent and aligned with the inlet opening such that when the inlet valve is closed the inlet opening is substantially sealed and when the inlet valve is opened the inlet opening is not sealed. The compressed air source is capable of pressurizing the interior space with compressed air and interfaces with the box. The chilled air source communicates with the inlet opening.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a lateral dimension of a microscale device on a substrate is reduced or adjusted by the steps of providing the device with a soft or softened exposed surface; placing a guiding plate adjacent the soft or softened exposed surface; and pressing the guiding plate onto the exposed surface. Under pressure, the soft material flows laterally between the guiding plate and the substrate. Such pressure induced flow can reduce the lateral dimension of line spacing or the size of holes and increase the size of mesas. The same process also can repair defects such as line edge roughness and sloped sidewalls. This process will be referred to herein as pressed self-perfection by liquefaction or P-SPEL.

Abstract: A mold-press forming apparatus for applying a molding pressure to a mold containing a forming material to perform press forming includes a loading chamber (that is, an airtight chamber) P1 kept airtight. The loading chamber P1 is connected to a pressure reducing member which includes evacuating members 14 and 13 arranged in an evacuating path 7 connected to the loading chamber P1 for evacuating a gas in the loading chamber P1, and a plurality of valves 11 and 12 arranged in the evacuating path 7 in parallel to each other. When the loading chamber P1 is evacuated, the pressure reducing member changes a pressure reducing rate in the course of pressure reduction.

Abstract: Amorphous sheets of PLA resins are thermoformed by heating the sheets until they become semicrystalline, and then forming the sheets on a relatively cold mold. Semicrystalline formed articles having improved heat resistance are made by the process.

Abstract: In press molding or embossing a thermoplastic resin for producing a molded product excellent in transferability of microscopic surface asperities and having high quality with high productivity, a preform of a thermoplastic resin is heated to about the hardening temperature of the thermoplastic resin constituting the preform. The preform is embedded between an upper half and a lower half of a mold which are maintained at a temperature of about the hardening temperature of the thermoplastic resin, and then the mold is closed at a low pressure. Carbon dioxide is dissolved in a surface of the preform by charging carbon dioxide between a surface of the mold and the surface of the preform in order to reduce the viscosity of the preform surface. The surface of the mold is brought into contact with the preform having the reduced surface viscosity by increasing a pressing pressure. Then, carbon dioxide is discharged, and a molded product is extracted.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a preform of plastic material, expanding said preform to obtain a container, said forming comprising compression-forming said preform in that mould arrangement wherein said expanding occurs; a method comprises expanding a preform in a mould arrangement to obtain a container, before said expanding it being provided to form a dose of plastic material in a paste state in said mould arrangement to obtain said preform; an apparatus comprises a forming mould arrangement, a punch device for expanding a preform in said mould arrangement, an abutting device cooperating with said punch device, said punch device and said abutting device identifying a configuration in which said punch device and said abutting device cooperate to define a forming unit for compression-forming a semifinished product of plastic material to obtain said preform and a further configuration in which said punch device and said abutting device cooperate to define an expansion unit of said preform to obtain a container.

Abstract: A method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer upon a first surface; wherein the active device is operative to change at least one physical attribute in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to substantially decrease its modulus, contacting and compressing the active device with a second surface, and cooling the device to set a compressed geometry. In another embodiment, a method comprising disposing an active device comprising a shape memory polymer in a gap between two opposing surfaces; wherein the active device is operative to exhibit a memorized shape in response to a thermal activation signal; activating the active device with a thermal activation signal to increase a dimension of the active device; filling the gap between the opposing surfaces, and cooling the device to set a new gap filling dimension.

Abstract: A method of molding a golf ball core utilizing a single cavity mold that moves on a continuous conveyor system wherein heated preps are automatically and individually taken directly from the extruder and robotically placed into a bottom mold half that is integral with and moves along a conveyor at a speed consistent with the output from the extruder. This eliminates the prep's inefficient loss of heat during storage that is associated with the batch process. The method provides preheating each top and bottom mold half in separate conveyor ovens to about 350° F. prior to the prep being loaded into the bottom mold half. After the prep is loaded, the top and bottom mold halves are assembled to create the single cavity mold. The single cavity mold compresses the prep into a spherical core shape by utilizing spring force and retainer plates to exert about 384 lbs of force. The core is then moved by conveyor into a convection oven wherein the core is cured to a temperature of about 350° F.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a lateral dimension of a microscale device on a substrate is reduced or adjusted by the steps of providing the device with a soft or softened exposed surface; placing a guiding plate adjacent the soft or softened exposed surface; and pressing the guiding plate onto the exposed surface. Under pressure, the soft material flows laterally between the guiding plate and the substrate. Such pressure induced flow can reduce the lateral dimension of line spacing or the size of holes and increase the size of mesas. The same process also can repair defects such as line edge roughness and sloped sidewalls. This process will be referred to herein as pressed self-perfection by liquefaction or P-SPEL.