Abstract: A method for molding thermoformable synthetic plastic sheet material into a circular lid having a downturned rim with a bead on its inner face. The sheet material is softened by heating and disposed between male and female dies which are moved together to fold the sheet material over the male die to form the downturned rim. The material forming the rim is compressed and sheared between the dies to force material into a bead cavity in the male die to form the bead. The molded lid can fit over the top edge of a container with the bead in sealing engagement with the container.

Abstract: Thermoplastic objects are manufactured by placing an extruded thermoplastic blank while still in a substantially molten state within a mold cavity defined on all sides by rigid walls with at least one of the walls being movable relative to the other walls. The movable wall extends substantially completely over the entire area of one side of the article to be formed and it is moved to apply pressure to the article while also simultaneously applying heat to the one side against which the wall is pressed. The other walls forming the mold cavity are cooled during the forming process.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for producing paper products by forming a paper sheet stock into a desired shape, forcing the shaped paper product through a heat-setting tube, and steam heating the shaped paper product sufficiently to maintain its shape upon removal from the heat-setting tube. Maintaining the paper product in its desired shape is accomplished by supplying steam into the interior of the heat-setting tube and into a steam tube surrounding the heat-setting tube. Preferably, superheated steam is employed in the formation of a nested group of shaped paper products, such as coffee filters, which are simultaneously produced from multi-layered paper sheet stock.

Abstract: A process of molding polymeric material comprising causing heated polymeric material to flow in a predetermined direction in a mold and cooling the polymeric material forming a product exhibiting anisotropic properties including greater stiffness in the direction of flow than in any other direction. Also molding apparatus comprising two mold parts each having a mold cavity, the molding apparatus being so constructed and arranged that communication between the two mold cavities may be established and disestablished at will, means for admitting material to be molded into one of the mold cavities and by pressure differential causing flow of some of the material from said mold cavity into the other mold cavity when communication between the mold cavities is established, and means for cooling the flowing material whereby a product exhibiting anisotropic properties including greater stiffness in the direction of flow than in any other direction may be formed.

Abstract: A battery separator envelope is provided having two walls of battery separator connected together by a foam member. In a method, two walls of battery separator are secured on a mandrel by sandwiching the mandrel and the walls of battery separator in a jig. A foam bead is then extruded between the walls and the bead is tamped and squeezed to complete the final formation of the foam member. The apparatus includes the mandrel, jig, extruder and support for guiding the jig assembly past the extruder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming silicon U-shaped carrier members from straight silicon rods using a combination of rod movement, zone heating, and controlled bending.

Abstract: A method for forming mirror assemblies, especially rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles, wherein a thermoplastic mirror case is held inverted with its side wall portions extending downwardly. The side wall portions are softened by immersion in a heated bath and are pressed into a forming die which supports a reflective mirror element to form an arcuate mirror element retaining lip about the peripheral edges of the mirror element. Apparatus for performing the method includes an indexing table which sequentially moves the cases and mirror elements loaded thereon to one position, removes the cases from the table, combines them with the mirror elements via the forming die, and returns the completed assemblies to the table.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preparing shear degradable particle-containing resin powders. This process comprises (a) preparing a first composition comprising shear degradable particles and molten resin in the absence of high shearing forces on the particles, (b) intimately blending the first composition with a second composition comprising molten resin and curing agent to form a shear degradable particle-containing molten resin mixture in the absence of high shearing forces on the shear degradable particles, (c) solidifying this shear degradable particle-containing molten resin mixture, and (d) grinding the solidified mixture to desired particle size. The particles may then be classified according to particle size.The final powder particles contain shear degradable particles or flakes in substantially undegraded form. The powder particles are especially useful in powder coating applications such as in automobile and appliance topcoats.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of an extrudate of poly(phenylene sulfide) and filler with the resulting extrudate having a stiffness of less than 10,000 psi as determined by ASTM D747-70. The extrudate formed is very flexible. The method includes the step of applying pressure to a heated mixture of poly(phenylene sulfide) and filler and flowing the mixture through a first orifice into an expansion chamber and out of the expansion chamber through a second orifice. The extrudate exiting the second orifice is extruded into the atmosphere or into a mold cavity for the molding of a piece part. The resulting extrudate is flexible and can be used as a packing or gasket material.

Abstract: A system and method for forming elongated and involute thermoplastic articles is disclosed. Means are provided for controllably heating a sheet of thermoplastic material to form preselected temperature gradients throughout the sheet of thermoplastic material. Means are further provided for planarly supporting the heated sheet of thermoplastic material allowing for transverse motion of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material at the center thereof and further allowing for controlled slippage of the heated sheet of thermoplastic material toward said center thereof relative to the planar support means. Means are also provided for transversely forming a heated sheet of thermoplastic material into the shape of an elongated or involute plastic article. A plug is used to extend the heated sheet of thermoplastic material into an elongated conical shaped piece.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming wall panel boards from paste-like material. The mould is pivotable between a horizontal and vertical position. The paste-like material and reinforcements are placed in the mould when it is in the horizontal position. The mould is then pivoted to the vertical position such that the yet non-hardened board may be pulled vertically upwards out of the mould. The cross-sectional dimension of the board is shaped by the upper opening of the mould as the former is being pulled out. The board is suspended for hardening outside of the mould, while the mould is returned to the horizontal position for moulding the next board. Thus, the mould can be continuously used without having to wait for the board to harden therein.

Abstract: A method for solid state forming of thermoplastic material by subjecting a solid blank of the material, preheated to a temperature just below that at which the material is no longer solid, to high compressive strain causing an abrupt flow of the material throughout a mold cavity.

Abstract: Methods of making continuous length articles of reinforced plastic material includes passing rovings of temperature resistant material through a crosshead extruder to impregnate the rovings with a thermoplastic polymer under high pressure. The impregnated rovings are pulled from the extruder through a die and are cooled and shaped into a void free article having a desired cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: An extruder is operated continuously to produce a plastically deformable strand that is pulled through a calibrating die and a cooling by a withdrawal arrangement downstream of the die in the bath. A sensor detects the volume of the strand between the tool and the extruder and controls the withdrawal rate in accordance with the volume of the strand between the tool and the extruder so as to produce an accurately calibrated extrusion. The sensor may engage the strand at the bank formed immediately upstream of the mouth of the calibrating die or may be upstream therefrom and detect the hang or droop of the strand between the die and the extruder.

Abstract: A flexible semi-permeable tubular assembly is provided which consists essentially of a cord comprising a textile sheath which carries a semi-permeable membrane, said sheath being composed of yarns, the external surface of the sheath being compressed and flattened, the internal surface of the sheath defining an axial channel which communicates with the exterior. This assembly is particularly suitable for the concentration, separation and purification of fluids by reverse osmosis, ultra-filtration and gas permeation. The assembly combines good tensile strength with good porosity.

Abstract: A synchronous motor is provided with a rotor including magnetic poles composed of a permanent magnet fixed around a rotor shaft, a stator facing the outer periphery of the rotor with an air gap formed therebetween, and a guard ring made of a non-magnetic material of low resistivity and fitly disposed around the outer periphery of the permanent magnet to restrain the surface loss caused by the magnetic flux linking with the guard ring, thereby preventing the reduction of the efficiency of the synchronous motor.

Abstract: Plastic lined pipe and fittings are prepared by forming a liner of a plastic material having a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the pipe or fitting to be lined, reducing the diameter of the liner by hydrostatically swaging the liner and inserting the swaged liner into the pipe or fitting and permitting the plastic memory of the liner to cause expansion and form an interference fit of the liner with the pipe.

Abstract: A method employing a parison transfer device which comprises a pair of opposed clamping jaws with offset tines disposed so as to extrude polymer laterally between said tines to form a flange at right angles to the axis of the parison so that on transfer the parison can be held securely so as to avoid wobbling.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing blanks from a synthetic plastics material inces a mould cavity defined between a mandrel and an outer mould. A retractable sleeve is slidably mounted on the mandrel and is displaceable within the cavity at a rate which depends on the rate at which the plastics material is injected into the cavity.

Abstract: A method of forming the bell end of a bell and spigot joint connecting two pipes together is disclosed herein and utilizes a mandrel assembly including an elongated core and a retractable ramp arrangement. A sealing gasket is positioned around the core and to one side of the ramp arrangement. Thereafter, an end section of a heat deformable pipe, heated to its deformable state, is moved concentrically over the core, retractable ramp arrangement and sealing gasket to form an enlarged sleeve or bell having an inner circumferential groove within which the sealing gasket is located. During this movement, as the heated end section approaches the sealing gasket, the ramp arrangement causes the end section to deform outwardly and over the gasket, whereupon the ramp arrangement retracts inwardly for allowing the outwardly deformed end section to shrink back to the core and around the gasket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for making a combined needle and catheter of the type in which the needle is used to lead the end of the catheter thereon into a body cavity and, after insertion, is withdrawn through the catheter with most of the catheter remaining in the body. To form the catheter, the needle is initially placed in an upright position with its pointed end downward and located within the orifice of a die wiper. Thereafter, a measured quantity of a viscous plastic material or fluid plastisol is applied to the die wiper on the side thereof opposite the pointed end of the needle and the assembly of needle, die wiper and plastisol is then inverted so that the die wiper falls by gravity and wipes a coating of fluid plastisol along the shank of the needle. When the die wiper has completed its traverse of the needle shank, the assembly is heated to solidify the fluid plastisol on the needle and thereby form a removable flexible catheter on the needle.