Abstract: A rustication for preparing reveal bands in a precast panel surface. The rustication is made from a one piece elongate body of extruded foam and comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and laterally-spaced sidewall surfaces that extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface defines a base plane. One or more downward-extending edges that project below the lower surface base plane are included such that they can bend under the application of a load, such as when concrete is poured around it to form the precast panel. Under such a load, the edge scrapes along the top of a panel-forming surface so that an enhanced sealing engagement between the panel-forming surface and the rustication is effected. The rustication can further include a plurality of longitudinally-spaced apertures that extend from the upper surface to the lower surface to facilitate the securing of the rustication to the panel-forming surface, thereby precluding rustication shift once the concrete is poured.

Abstract: A molding process and apparatus are disclosed herewith including extruding a polymer from at least one nozzle into a mold cavity, and displacing at least one of the nozzle and the mold cavity during the step of extruding to deposit at least a portion of a layer of polymer into the mold cavity, and subsequently enclosing the mold cavity with a mating mold section to produce a molded part.

Abstract: An assembly for manufacturing carriers (4) of information or decoration, characterised by a mould unit comprising two mould means which are joinable with each other. The mould unit comprises an injection moulding station (1) for injection moulding of said carriers (4), and a printing station (2) with a stamping unit (15) for applying to said carrier (4) a covering formed in accordance with the current information or decoration. The present invention also concerns a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method of making a reinforced component by depositing a polymer into an extrusion deposition unit, during the plastication process a reinforcing material is deposited into the extrusion deposition unit. The amount and type of fiber is varied in order to provide a molded component with varying degrees of reinforcement and/or strength. The extrudate having a varying fiber reinforcement is deposited onto a mold core or cavity.

Abstract: A rustication for preparing reveal bands in a precast panel surface. The rustication is made from a one piece elongate body of extruded foam and comprises an upper surface, a lower surface and laterally-spaced sidewall surfaces that extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface defines a base plane. One or more downward-extending edges that project below the lower surface base plane are included such that they can bend under the application of a load, such as when concrete is poured around it to form the precast panel. Under such a load, the edge scrapes along the top of a panel-forming surface so that an enhanced sealing engagement between the panel-forming surface and the rustication is effected. The rustication can further include a plurality of longitudinally-spaced apertures that extend from the upper surface to the lower surface to facilitate the securing of the rustication to the panel-forming surface, thereby precluding rustication shift once the concrete is poured.

Abstract: A method of producing a sintered article of polybenzimidazole by using a polybenzimidazole resin. This method comprises, in the following order, the steps of: filling a mold with a polybenzimidazole resin; after closing the mold so that the polybenzimidazole resin can be densely packed in the mold, heating the mold to a predetermined temperature ranging from 500° C. to 600° C. without applying pressure to the mold from the outside; after increasing the pressure on the mold from 0 kg/cm2 to 50-750 kg/cm2, sintering the polybenzimidazole resin while maintaining the temperature and the pressure for 15 to 200 minutes; cooling the mold; and removing the sintered article of the polybenzimidazole resin from the mold. In this method, the polybenzimidazole resin is is brought into contact with substantially no oxygen from the beginning of the step of heating the resin to the end of the sintering step.

Abstract: This invention provides a biodegradable and bioabsorbable implant material having a high mechanical strength wherein its shape after deformation within ordinary temperature range can be fixed and maintained so that its shape can be easily adjusted at the site of operation, and it has substantially no anisotropy in view of strength so that it does not cause whitening, breakage and sharp decrease in strength when its bending deformation is repeated in any direction and it has toughness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a shaped article suitable for use as the load bearing component of a prosthetic device formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. polyethylene.

Abstract: A radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material is described. The body is deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular, unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A method and device for forming composites using a pre-consolidated tubular braid (i.e., a braid removed from the braiding machine on which it was produced prior to use in further processing) including feeding the pre-consolidated tubular braid over a supporting mandrel, impregnating the braid with a resin using a pressurized resin injection chamber with a mandrel adapted to provide adequate impregnation, feeding the resin saturated braid into a pultrusion die with a mandrel for forming and heating and pulling the cured composite from the die for finishing the end product.

Abstract: A radially expandable device having a body constructed of a generally inelastic, expanded fluoropolymer material is described. The body is deployable upon application of a radial expansion force from a reduced diameter, collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration having a pre-defined and fixed increased diameter. The body has a singular, unitary construction of generally homogenous material that is characterized by a seamless construction of expanded fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), and is preferably constructed through an extrusion and expansion process. The body is further characterized by a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils in which substantially all the nodes of the body are oriented generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A method for producing a tubular container of plastic material, in which the plastic material is supplied to an injection mould (3) which forms therein a blank (1) including a blank body (15) with a tubular portion (16). The tubular portion is open at one end (11) and has, in its other end (10), an emptying aperture or mouth (12) of the future container with a closure device thereat. The tubular portion (16) is displaced or drawn through an annular gap (4) for reduction of the wall thickness and axial extension thereof. After extension, the tubular portion is cut to the desired length. The thickness of the drawn material is between 0.1 and 0.15 mm. The closure device is confined within an outline formed by the drawn wall of the tubular portion.

Abstract: Angular blocks of foam flocks can be produced by the composite process with angular edges and a homogeneous density distribution over the entire cross-section in a molding box by first extending the filling cross-section in the corners of adjoining mold walls before the flocks are introduced, and, after the flocks have been introduced, reducing it to the envisaged cross-section of the slab to be produced and thus filling hollow spaces, and compacting the flock filling to the desired density in the corners, so that the slab has a homogeneous density over the entire cross-section.

Abstract: A plunger machine for molding reinforced polymer is provided. The plunger machine has particular application in molding polymer that is reinforced with particles having an aspect ratio greater than 1:1. The plunger machine includes a barrel housing with a smooth barrel bore that defines a main melt chamber. A plunger housing, having a plunger bore, defines an initial melt chamber that is in communication with the main melt chamber. A plunger resides in the plunger bore and is reciprocatable therein. The barrel bore is continuously inwardly to provide a smooth transition and alignment of reinforcing members in the polymer mixture during the melt process. The smooth bore ensures substantial alignment of the reinforcement members with the longitudinal axis of the bore to avoid excessive breakage of the reinforcing particles and prepare the polymer mixture for extrusion into a mold assembly.

Abstract: A method of diametrally expanding an elastic tube (6), which includes the steps of inserting a distal end portion of a expansion member (1) into an elastic tube (6), the expansion member (1) being provided at least at a surface thereof with a solidified layer of a low melting point material, and the distal end portion (4) of the expansion member (1) being tapered, a tip end of which having a diameter which is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the elastic tube (6), and moving the elastic tube (6) over the solidified layer to diametrally expand the elastic tube (6), the surface of the solidified layer being made into a low frictional surface due to a melting of the low melting point material.

Abstract: A method for making an outer cannula of an intravenous cannula. An insert pin (3) is inserted into an outer cannula (1) having a hub (12) and a tube (11) made of a shape memory polyurethane resin and having an untreated distal end portion, until a tip end of the insert pin (3) reaches a position retracted from a distal end of the tube (11). While holding the position of the insert pin (3), the tube (11) with the insert pin (3) is forced into a cavity in a mold (4) heated to a temperature of 120.degree. C. to 180.degree. C. until the insertion of the tube into the cavity is obstructed. Subsequently, the insert pin (3) is moved within the tube (11) toward the extremity of the tube until the tip end of insert pin (3) reaches a first predetermined position in the mold (4). After maintaining the tube at the mold temperature until the tube is softened, the insert pin is further moved within the tube toward the extremity thereof and held in position for a certain period of time.

Abstract: A process for forming a catheter tip is described wherein a mold having an internal surface complimentary to the desired external surface of the catheter tip is formed such that it has two temperature zones. A first higher temperature zone is positioned proximally of the catheter distal tip and a lower temperature zone is positioned distal to the higher temperature zone. A catheter to be tipped is placed upon a mandrel or needle and the mold is heated. Upon insertion of the catheter and mandrel into the mold. The catheter material softens and begins to flow within the mold. The higher temperature portion supplies the heat necessary to soften the catheter material and it flow to the lower temperature zone wherein the lower temperature causes the catheter material to become more viscous or resolidify. Upon becoming more viscous, the catheter material, at the very tip, acts as a dam to prevent further flow of material thus eliminating flash from the mold end.

Abstract: A process for beveling the tip of a medical catheter is described. A catheter blank is mounted on a mandrel normally with the mandrel tip extending beyond the tip of the catheter to be beveled. The mandrel and catheter blank are inserted into a previously heated mold having a passage therethrough through which the mandrel passes. At a portion of the mold at which the terminus of the catheter is to be formed, a constriction is provided through which material (flash) may pass from the mold volume to the outside of the mold. The material is permitted to cool sufficiently such that when the mandrel and catheter are withdrawn from the mold, the flash tears and separates from the catheter at the point of the constriction formed between the mold and the mandrel.

Abstract: A tamper evident cap is provided which includes plastic and includes a skirt having means for engaging means on a neck of a container for closing and opening the container, and an annular frangible band connected to and depending from the skirt, wherein the band includes an outer wall frangibly connected to the skirt by a line of weakness comprising fracturable bridges, posts and the like, and an inner wall joined to the bottom of the outer wall by a curvilinear connecting portion and extending therefrom inwardly and upwardly in a generally inverted "J", "U", "V", triangulated curl " or "trapazoidal" cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner wall includes a free end comprising a rim adapted to engage the interfering means on a container.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing cold formed shaped forms of packaging having at least one recess from a metal-plastic laminate. Examples of such shaped forms of packaging are the base parts of push-through packs or blister packs. The process is such that the laminate is held between a retaining tool and a die. The die exhibits at least one opening and a stamp is driven into the die opening causing the laminate to be shape-formed into a packaging, correspondingly exhibiting one or more recesses. The die and the retaining tool exhibit facing edge regions and the die, within the edge region, exhibits a shoulder region that surrounds the die opening or openings. The surface of the shoulder region lies 0.

Abstract: A large surface shaped structure having a smooth surface is formed by compression molding a charge (26) of reinforced molding material containing a thermoplastic material by placing a heated mold charge (26) in a mold (12, 14) which has its peripheral surfaces spaced apart to provide a shear gap (34). The width of the shear gap (34) is adjusted to accept a quantity of molding material sufficient to dissipate residual energy in the flow front of the charge to prevent rebound of the flow front as the structure solidifies.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for extruding ePTFE tube (12) for use in medical applications. A tube (12) of PTFE is extruded, preferably in an extrusion process, using counter-rotated die components (22, 26). The die component (16) is maintained at a constant temperature during processing. The resulting green tube (12) has enhanced fibrous state formation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. The PTFE green tube (12) is then subjected to secondary operations such as stretching and expansion to yield medical product. The ePTFE tube (12) structure is defined by nodes interconnected by elongate fibrils. Both the nodes and fibrils are substantially randomly tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube (12). This particular structure yields a tube (12) which exhibits a high degree of radial tear strength useful in medical applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing plastics that includes a press tool which is adapted to be pressed against a press surface with the aid of pressure means. The press surface includes a flat surface which is common to a thermostat-controlled cold device and a thermostat-controlled hot device. The tool can be moved from one thermostat-controlled device to the other thermostat-controlled device while pressure is being applied to vary the temperature of the tool.

Abstract: In a first process described a tapered catheter tip is molded by placing a tubular catheter over a mandrel and inserting the mandrel and catheter assembly into a mold having an inner mold surface. The molded catheter with flash is thereafter removed from the mold and the mandrel removed from the catheter. The catheter and flash are inserted into a jig which defines an opening through which the flash extends. The opening is defined by a cutting surface and the flash extends above such cutting surface. A cutter is then moved along the cutting surface in order to severe the flash at precisely the appropriate point along the catheter length to leave a formed trimmed catheter. The catheter is thereafter removed from the jig for further processing.

Abstract: The invention provides composites of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene reinforced with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene anisotropic reinforcement of high strength and modulus. The composites have superior mechanical properties relative to non-filled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, including higher strength, impact strength, increased creep resistance, and improved modulus. The composites may be sterilized for biomedical use, using gamma radiation and other techniques. Further, the composites are resistant to the effect of body fluids and have lower creep rates so that they will provide implant life. The composites may be cross-linked by exposure to an acetylene environment. Also, the composites find use in other high strength, high impact applications such as sports equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing continuous lengths of compression-molded material containing thermoplastic resin. Discrete lengths of extruded material are indexed through a compression mold. The mold forms, hardens, and integrally joins two successive extruded segments of material. A first molded segment is indexed forward leaving a trailing portion in the mold. A subsequent segment is extruded into the mold, and is integrally joined to the trailing portion by compressing the mold. Subsequent segments can be joined to produce a continuous profiled length formed from recycled thermoplastic material, while avoiding damage and downtime caused by contaminants in recycled material.

Abstract: A compression molding process for forming an article, preferably a preform or closure, is provided. The process includes the steps of forming thermoplastic resin into a precursor, wherein the precursor fits in a compression mold and has a shape for allowing the precursor to be supported in a predetermined or dimensionally preheld manner in a cavity of the compression mold prior to being compressed into a final shape, which shape is the shape of the compression mold; heating the precursor; and compression molding the precursor into the article while said precursor is heated. The step of forming may include the steps of extruding the resin into sheets; cutting discs from the sheets; and stacking the discs to form the precursors.

Abstract: A method of extruding a homogeneous plastic rod substantially free of shrink voids, the method having the steps of: extruding a rod central portion of plastic material having a glass transition point and a Vicat softening point below the glass transition point, the rod central portion having a center core and an outer skin; cooling the rod central portion while maintaining the outer skin above the Vicat softening point until the center core is cooled to approximately the Vicat softening point; using an extruder to extrude around the rod central portion a sheath of the same plastic material, the sheath having an outer skin and inner and outer portions, such that the rod central portion acts as a heat sink for the inner portion of the sheath, and such that, at the extruder, the plastic material forming the outer skin of the rod central portion is melted upon contact with the plastic material forming the sheath and the plastic material of the rod central portion and the plastic material of the sheath form the ho

Abstract: A tool is used for expanding a pipe-end which includes a plurality of jaws that can be moved radially in relation to a centre axis, between a retracted position and an outer expanding position. The jaws are inserted to a given distance in the pipe-end with the jaws in their retracted position. The jaws have outer surfaces which lie adjacent one another in the retracted positions of the jaws and have a circular-arcuate shape in cross section for engagement with the inner surface of the pipe-end. The radial distance of the outer jaw surfaces from the centre axis increases from the insertion end of the jaws to their opposite end. The pipe-end is expanded successively in several stages with relative small jaw movements, wherein the jaws are retracted and inserted further into the pipe-end between each expansion stage. The jaws of the tool can be moved radially through a distance which is smaller than the ultimate radial expansion of the pipe-end.

Abstract: A process for the fabrication of a thermoset water heater tube is described. By shifting to a thermoset rather than a thermoplastic, a much higher heat distortion temperature is achieved when compared to standard thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, ABS or PVC. The stress crack resistance is also higher as is the dimensional stability. These desirable properties can be achieved by using a lower cost material, in contrast to a more expensive thermoplastic, and solves the problem of water heater tube failure when dry firing conditions are present. The invention utilizes thermoplastic processing conditions, with subsequent crosslinking to form a thermoset. This combines the best features of both types of materials: (1) the ease of thermoplastic processing; combined with (2) the desirable physical properties of a thermoset.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a stand for mounting a mandrel against rotation and a winding assembly for disposition within the mandrel. The mandrel has a slot for receiving a flat sheet through a side wall of the mandrel. A clamping mechanism on the winding assembly clamps the leading edge to the winding assembly within the mandrel. By winding the assembly, the flat sheet is drawn into the mandrel and formed into an arcuate configuration. The mandrel with curved sheet is removed from the stand and disposed in an oven for setting the plastic material in the curved configuration whereby the flat sheet is preformed into a radius approximating the radius of the rotational part about which the insulation will be installed.

Abstract: An air-permeable plug member of a rubbery material useful as a stopper of the opening in a vessel, for example, for the culture of microorganisms and a method for the preparation thereof, by which the air permeability of the plug member can be freely controlled, are described. The plug member is characterized by the unique cellular structure consisting of a combination of a closed-cell structure and an open-cell structure in an appropriate proportion. Such a plug member can be prepared by first preparing a foamed rubber body consisting of a closed-cell structure only and then subjecting the same to a foam-breaking treatment by passing the body through a gap between, for example, a pair of rollers of which the gap width is 10 to 50% of the thickness or diameter of the body so that the cell walls of the closed-cell structure are partly broken to produce an open-cell structure.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating substantially void-free polymeric articles are provided. In one embodiment, a polymer melt is formed followed by extrusion through a die to form a polymeric extrudate. The polymeric extrudate is directly discharged vertically upward into an open-ended mold the open-ended mold having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially vertically. The polymeric article is cooled and removed from the mold. In a further embodiment, a mold is loaded with polymeric particles. The mold is oriented such that its longitudinal axis is substantially vertical. A vacuum is drawn on the loaded mold followed by heating the loaded mold above the melting point of the polymeric particles. After the polymeric particles are melted, the loaded mold is charged with an inert gas to above ambient pressure to collapse any remaining voids. The loaded mold is slowly cooled to form a polymeric article. Oriented polymeric bioabsorbable cannulated surgical articles and a method of making same are provided.

Abstract: A mold assembly with micro-sized features in which the hollow portion thereof is fabricated from a sacrificial mandrel which is surface treated and then coated to form an outer shell. The sacrificial mandrel is then selectively etched away leaving the outer shell as the final product. The sacrificial mandrel is fabricated by a precision lathe, for example, so that when removed by etching the inner or hollow area has diameters as small as 10's of micros (.mu.m). Varying the inside diameter contours of the mold can be accomplished with specified ramping slopes formed on the outer surface of the sacrificial mandrel, with the inside or hollow section being, for example, 275 .mu.m in length up to 150 .mu.m in diameter within a 6 mm outside diameter (o.d.) mold assembly. The mold assembly itself can serve as a micronozzle or microneedle, and plastic parts, such as microballoons for angioplasty, polymer microparts, and microactuators, etc., may be formed within the mold assembly.

Abstract: A method for producing a squeezable, thin-walled tube container of orientable plastic material in which the container includes a mouth portion, a squeezable thin-walled tubular container body having an open bottom-forming portion and a connecting portion located between the mouth portion and the container body and in which the mouth portion and the connecting portion consists of non-oriented material includes forcing the non-oriented material in the tube portion, by mechanical means, through a gap with a gap width at most amounting to approximately half the wall thickness of the material in the tube portion for orientation of the material passing through the gap, thereby obtaining substantially monoaxial orientation of the material which forms the container body and the open bottom-forming portion of the thin-walled squeezable tube container.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the manufacture of soap forms which includes the step of treating a soap feedstock by passage through a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder and apparatus for the manufacture of soap forms according to the process, said apparatus containing a twin screw, intermeshing, counter-rotating extruder, wherein the extruder includes two oppositely-threaded, closely intermeshing screws, the screws being non-matching and such that the ratio of the length to the diameter is greater than 1:1, mounted for rotation within a barrel having a first end and a second end, said screws having a minimal screw-to-screw and screw to barrel clearance such that as the feedstock passes along at least a part of the barrel from said first end and towards said second end it is divided into a plurality of discrete, substantially C-shaped segments bounded by the screw and barrel surfaces and conveyed in a path whereby the bulk of the feedstock move substantially parallel to the rotational a

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polymeric bone fixation devices and processes for making the devices. In making the bone fixation devices, a polymeric material having a crystalline portion is deformed by a compressive force along a particular direction which causes molecular chains contained within the polymer to orient. The resulting polymer has increased mechanical properties including increased tensile strength and modulus. The polymeric material used to make the bone fixation device can be a bioabsorbable polymer which, once implanted, is broken down and absorbed by the patient's body, eliminating the need for removal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow body made of fluoro resin, especially of PTFE, obtained by paste extrusion, exhibiting an anisotropy ratio lower than 1 and substantially equal to 0.5. For the manufacture of such hollow bodies a fluoro resin powder, especially unsintered PTFE, is mixed with lubricant, the mixture is compressed to obtain an isotropic compact tubular preform, the preform is introduced into an extrusion press, the preform is expelled through a passage of small cross-section of a die so as to form lengthwise-oriented fibers, the fibers are compressed at the exit of the passage in an internal expansion chamber of enlarged cross-section, so as to orient the fibers transversely, and the fibers are expelled through the exit orifice of the die to obtain a hollow body.

Abstract: An improved extrusion method is employed in a process which is used to form tubing for medical applications. The method includes providing an extrusion apparatus having a die which includes a die cavity and a mandrel within the die cavity. The die is rotated in a first rotational direction while the mandrel is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction. While the die and the mandrel are rotating, a PTFE paste is passed through the annular passage defined between the die and the mandrel. The die cavity is cooled to maintain the PTFE paste passing therethrough at a substantially non-elevated temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for molding an elongated cylindrical object includes an elongated cylindrical mold. First and second closure plates are positioned within the mold and an elongated tube is suspended between the closure plates within the mold. A sliding piston is mounted over the elongated tube. Molten plastic is introduced into the mold between the piston and one of the closure plates so as to cause the piston to slide along the tube within the mold toward the opposite closure plate. When the mold is filled, the piston engages the opposite closure plate, and further introduction of molten plastic is stopped. This process produces an elongated plastic body having the tube embedded therein.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of a high modulus article comprising a composite of an oriented plastic material and an oriented particulate material, said process including the steps of:a. continuously forcing an orientable plastics material, while it is close to or at its softening temperature and in admixture with an orientable particulate material, through a converging passage of which the cross-sectional area diminishes in the forward direction of plastic flow, thereby to produce an extrudate;b. deforming the extrudate, while it is maintained at or close to its melt temperature, to produce an oriented, deformed extrudate; andc. cooling the deformed extrudate to preserve the orientation and provide said composite. The foamed and unfoamed composite articles have strength, modulus and density values comparable to typical hardwoods or softwoods.

Abstract: An improved die, containing one or more orifices, for the extrusion of polymers is disclosed wherein the orifices are flared at the polymer discharge end, and the orifices have certain relative dimensions and configurations. The dies are useful for producing items such as films, shaped profiles, sheets, fibers, strands, etc. Also disclosed are a process for using the die, and an extrusion apparatus containing such a die.

Abstract: A method and tool are provided for forming a patterned gasket bead on a surface. The tool includes a first portion which has a first recess that defines a first recess surface, and a mateable second portion having a second recess defining a second recess surface. The tool also includes a gasket material flow path that has a chamber section, and that is formed by the first and second recess surfaces of the first and second portions mated together. The tool further includes a gasket patterning member that is mounted within the chamber section of the gasket material flow path. The patterning member as mounted within the chamber section defines, with the first and second recess surfaces, a patterned extrusion opening through a discharge end of the first and second portions for extruding a patterned flow of gasket material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling in a variably controllable fashion the width of an extruder die opening whereby the width of material being extruded may be controllably varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an elongated beam from compressible material. A mixture of filling material and plastic material is delivered to a first space and there compressed. The compressed material is pressed through a nozzle into a second space defined by a matrix of wall parts, where the material is made more rigid. The wall parts of the matrix can be moved backwards and forwards in a particular sequence to enable beam parts to be fed continuously through the matrix.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the invention provides a catheter of a selected length, and having a main body of a first cross-section and a tip section of smaller cross-section, the tip section being formed integrally with the main body from a catheter blank having a length less than the selected length. Also, in another of its aspects, the invention provides a method of making a catheter tip on a main body of thermoplastic synthethic plastics material and having a first cross-section. A progressive forming technique is used to reduce the cross-section of the body to create a tip section of smaller cross-section.

Abstract: A processing line forms a desired end product for a plastic extrusion machine by supplying raw plastic material to a shredder. The shredder forms partially-fused, irregularly-shaped chunks of the raw plastic. The use of the shredder eliminates the requirement of extraneous matter separation prior to feeding of the shredder. The output of the shredder is conveyed to a ram feeder after passing material separators, such as a magnet and/or a metal detector or the like. The ram feeder forces the chunks to an extruder which ultimately supplies liquified plastic to a pelletizer to form pellets. The pellets are transferred to a storage vat for reuse.

Abstract: Bearing compositions having a polymeric core and cast outer metal exhibit excellent structural integrity in use.

Abstract: The open edge of a plasticboard is moved into a heating and sealing unit having a metal form with a U-shaped cross-section. A spacing tape and a release tape line the metal form. An induction or resistance heater is coupled to the metal form to raise the temperature thereof and heat the open edge to form a molten plastic edge wall, with the outer edges of the edge wall in sealing engagement with the form. The molten plastic fills the cavity between the form and the edge wall and forms a solid, continuous end wall upon cooling of the molten plastic. A batch sealing unit has a form moved directly into engagement with the edge wall to be sealed. A continuous sealing unit has an elongated form. A conveyor moves the plasticboard through the form in a continuous flow path with the form inclined to the path of the edge board to establish relative lateral movement. A cooling unit cools the end wall as the board moves from the form.

Abstract: A light weight extruder (20) is suitable for high production, in-line extrusion of flowable materials with high precision in the placement and control of the extruded material. The extruder uses a high torque hydraulic motor (72) to drive a feed screw (88) in dispensing highly viscous but flowable material through an extrusion die (126) of preselected configuration. A plurality of heating bands (114-118) surrounding the barrel (86) of the extruder provide precise control over the material temperature at the point of extrusion. In an alternate embodiment, an injection nozzle (120a) is provided with a plurality of independently controllable extrusion dies (128, 130, 132). The extruder is sufficiently light and manipulable such that it can be mounted on the end of the arm of a robot (122).