Abstract: A method of automatically making frames from elongate workpieces, more particularly plastics, characterized in that the workpieces are heated individually at predetermined places to be subsequently bent and at the ends. Each workpiece is conveyed transversely of its longituidinal extension along a path which is formed by longitudinal guides with predetermined edge curvatures and along which spatially curved guide-like stops are provided, so that the particular workpiece is forced to bend itself around the edge curvature. This operation is repeated at least in accordance with half the number of the places of the workpiece to be bent, whereafter the two ends of the workpiece have approached one another and the ends of the workpiece are melted and pressed against one another.

Abstract: A method for the production of curved tubular elastomeric articles such as hose is described which uses a heat recoverable mandrel which when heated above its transition temperature range undergoes a transformation and reverts to a preselected curvilinear shape. A further temperature rise then vulcanizes the elastomeric article formed on the mandrel. The resultant curved tubular article has improved resistance to flex fatigue and obviates the problem of hot tear.

Abstract: A membrane of a porous unexpanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), such as that made by the matrix technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,256, issued Feb. 24, 1970, in sheet form is sandwiched between metal foil layers that are stiff enough to take a dead set crimp; the three layer composite is passed through corrugating gears; the corrugated composite is indexed between two grooved plates under moderate pressure and the composite is heated while between the plates to heat set the plastic membrane; then the metal foil layers are removed after cooling.

Abstract: A preformed radiator hose and a method of manufacturing such a hose are disclosed herein. A long length of an uncured hose is first fabricated by alternately wrapping layers of an uncured elastomer and fiber reinforcements around a straight mandrel. The uncured hose is then removed from the straight mandrel and cut into shorter segments. Each of these segments is then placed on a contoured mandrel having a shape corresponding to the intended configuration of the final hose and cured by heating. Although the fully cured hose does have a permanent shape, because of the unique arrangement of the reinforcements, etc., it has sufficient deformability to be easily slipped off the mandrel.

Abstract: A hose construction including a corrugated and a curved construction and method of making same are provided and the hose construction comprises at least one layer portion made primarily of an elastomeric material having randomly distributed elongated fibers embedded therein in substantially parallel relation with the fibers extending in a helical pattern about a reference axis of the hose construction and at an angle relative thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of paper-layer wound cardboard tube segments having a polygonal cross section, where paper tapes are first wound on a fixed spindle of circular shaped cross section and then the tube thus obtained is transformed into a polygonal cross section.

Abstract: Method of bending thermoplastic pipes involving applying a source of heat to those portions of the pipe which are to be fashioned or shaped, applying a bending force to the pipe and cooling the bent pipe. The steps of the method are undertaken at one and the same location while the pipe is internally supported and has one end secured in a fixed position. Apparatus specifically designed to carry out such a method is also included.

Abstract: Method of molding plurality of spaced fastener elements onto parallel filaments. A pair of leg portions of each fastening element have, respectively, a projection and an opening, the projection and opening mating to interlock the leg portions. The fastening elements are formed by directing the parallel filaments to a cavity wheel which has mold cavities enclosed by a band, and then injecting plastic material through gate openings in the band into the mold cavities to form a train of fastener elements on the parallel filaments.

Abstract: A preform of a resilient thermoplastic polymeric material is first fabricated then folded into a complex tubular shape corresponding to the shape of a pipe fitting, heated while in said configuration to soften said polymeric material, and then cooled while maintained in said configuration.

Abstract: Described is a method for bending rigid extruded theromoplastic-resin shapes without significant deformation of the cross-sectional configuration of the shape. The shape is intimately mated between first and second dies cooperatively configured to define the curvature to which the shape is to be bent. The shape, as mated with the dies, is heated by means of a heating fluid sufficiently to cause the thermoplastic material to lose a substantial portion of its tensile strength but insufficiently to cause the thermoplastic material to melt. Heating is continued as the dies are progressively moved into mating engagement with the extrusion over the extent of the shape to be bent. Thereafter, before the dies are moved apart, the bent shape is cooled sufficiently to restore rigidity to the shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a multi-level assembly of flexible nets for supporting flowers to allow them to grow in straight, upstanding shape through the mesh openings of the nets which are raised progressively to different levels of height above a flower bed in accordance with the growth of the flowers. A plurality of nets are laid one upon another with their mesh openings substantially correctly aligned with one another and placed on a frame in a vertically zigzag folded pattern. Then, the nets are, together with the frame, immersed in a bath of a heating medium, such as hot water, to allow the nets to undergo thermal contraction, whereby the mesh openings of the nets are correctly with one another. The nets are, together with the frame, removed from the bath and allowed to cool. Then, the nets are removed from the frame with their folded shape substantially in order.

Abstract: A laterally bent and longitudinally bendable extrusion product and method of making the same in which a composite metallized strip is encapsulated in a transparent sheath of molten thermoplastic and subsequently fed to a forming zone where it is laterally bent and cooled. The composite metallized strip includes a core of metallized particles sandwiched between and thermoplastically bonded to a transparent plastic substrate and a rigidifying support layer which is constructed and arranged to substantially prevent delamination, discolorization and deformation of the metallized particles.

Abstract: A method of making a container, particularly a rectangular tray-like container, in which a blank is provided having side panels which are displaced to form the side walls of the container. The blank is clamped in its container - forming shape between mould tools with adjacent ends of the side panels juxtaposed end corner seams and a lip are injection moulded to seam the side panels and form a peripheral lip on the free edges of the side panels remote from the base panel. The mould tools shape the free edges of the side panels to an internally concave form between the juxtaposed side panel ends before moulding so that shrinkage of the moulding will accentuate the concavity to give a predetermined consistent shape to containers so produced and avoid unpredictable buckling and deformity.

Abstract: A process for the production of lettering or symbol templates by production of symbol cut-outs in a template sheet consisting of thermoplastic plastic, characterized by forcing the cut-out portions of the symbols in a shaping or forging step, and subsequently cutting off the protruding forced-out portions.

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: Methods and apparatus are provided for producing seamless or apparently seamless plastic foam cups formed from both seamless and seamed sidewall blanks formed by stretching initially cylindrical blank into frusto-conical shapes and then molding such blanks with either expandable foamed plastic beads or foam plastic discs to form an integral cup bottom with the sidewall in an apparently seamless structure. If cylindrical containers are desired, or if frusto-conical sidewall blanks are utilized no stretching is required. Presizing of sidewall thickness prior to treatment in the mold is also provided.

Abstract: Buoyancy members in the form of a segment of a hollow cylinder are produced by providing a cylindrical mold having two longitudinally extending flanges spaced apart by not more than 180.degree.

Abstract: A method for producing arcuately curved film casings particularly suitable for a foodstuff such as meat or the like, by an inflation process, wherein a non-stretched resin tube is advanced along and in contact with a circumferential surface of a cylindrical shaping member at the time of inflation of the tube.

Abstract: A perforated pipe method of making a perforated pipe suitable for subsurface irrigation laterals by forming indentations and perforations in indentations of sheet material then rolling the sheet material into a tube or pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for folding a sheet of relatively brittle material in which an articulated frame assembly is mounted relative to a support structure in a manner so that two portions of the frame assembly can pivot relative to each other in an angular direction to fold the sheet about a fold line intermediate the ends of the sheet. Each portion of the frame assembly includes a movable portion which is adapted to fold the outer end portion of the sheet about an additional fold line intermediate the first fold lines and the outer edge portion. The sheet is heated along the fold lines prior to the folding operations.

Abstract: A tapered synthetic resin pipe can be produced by winding belt-like or thread-like glass fiber around a tapered core bar, inserting it into a tapered mold and thereafter pulling out only the core bar, pouring a thermosetting synthetic resin in liquid form into the mold, inclining the mold by a predetermined angle from the horizontal position and rotating it at a predetermined rate of rotation.

Abstract: A tapered synthetic resin pipe can be produced by winding belt-like or thread-like glass fiber around a tapered core bar, inserting it into a tapered mold and thereafter pulling out only the core bar, pouring a thermosetting synthetic resin in liquid form into the mold, inclining the mold by a predetermined angle from the horizontal position and rotating it at a predetermined rate of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming generally tubular pipe covering sections with overlapping edge portions from a sheet of elastomeric material. For relatively thin material thicknesses the material is rolled on a male mandrel to provide a plurality of spiral wraps and this roll is heated to a selected temperature between 120.degree. F and 150.degree. F for at least 12 hours to effect a set in the roll. Selected lengths of the sheet material are cut from the roll to provide tubular pipe covering sections of a selected circumferential size. For relatively thick material thicknesses with substantial rigidity, a continuous roll of the material is cut transversely along its length to form a series of blanks. The length of the blank is established by the width of the roll and the width of the blank is selected according to the diameter of the pipe or insulated pipe to be covered.

Abstract: The method includes filling the hollow interior of a flexible uncured tubular preform with a flowable substantially incompressible material, training the thus filled tubular element about discrete support means which contact a portion of the exterior surface of the tubular element to form the desired serpentine configuration, and then curing the filled, serpentined tubular element followed by totally discharging the incompressible material from the interior of the tubular element.

Abstract: A plurality of groups of mandrels are arranged for movement successively through a plurality of workstations with each group being worked on at a station while other groups are being worked on simultaneously at other stations to produce continuously automatically groups of retractile cords. Cordage is fed from a supply into clamping engagement with each of the mandrels in the group in a cord-loading position and then wound in a plurality of spaced-apart convolutions on each of the mandrels of that group after which the wound cords are severed from the cordage supplies. The wound cords are advanced incrementally through a heating zone, wherein the cords are exposed to radiant heating supplemented by preheating of the mandrels while cordage is being wound on the next successive groups of mandrels.

Abstract: Foamed shapes having an elongate cross-sectional configuration are prepared extruding with the major axis of the cross-sectional configuration of the die opening in a generally vertical plane, passing the extrudate to a shaping device having the desired elongate cross-sectional configuration which has its major axis in a generally horizontal plane. Improved extrusion rates are obtainable and the amount of blowing agent required to provide a given degree of expansion is reduced when compared to extrusion with the major axis of the extrusion die disposed in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for locally flattening an oriented corrugated thermoplastic sheet in order to produce finishing pieces such as ridge pieces and other roofing finishing components. According to this process, the sheet is locally heated in the regions in which it is to be flattened, to a temperature between the vitreous transition temperature and the plastic deformation temperature of the thermoplastic material of which it is composed, and subsequently cooled to a temperature below the vitreous transition temperature, while being prevented from shrinking.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filtration unit for use in reverse osmosis purification, separation, or concentration plants or systems, and in particular to a unique method of winding a length of reinforced cast membrane tubing into a helical form while subjected to high pressure and elevated temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for applying a double edge to any flexible sheetlike material by bending over a portion of the sheet edge on each side of said sheetlike material. The sheetlike material must then be cured or made rigid by heating. The entire process and the apparatus also is handled as an integral operation with the forming and curing of the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A lightweight rearview mirror assembly for vehicles and a method for forming the same. The assembly includes a case formed from a thermoplastic material and a mirror element mounted therein. A thin, upstanding edge of the case is heated and curled into an arcuate, peripheral, retaining edge extending over the entire length of the mirror edge. The curled, arcuate edge defines therewithin a space extending between the entire thickness of the peripheral edges of the mirror and the case which allows the mirror and case to expand or contract in extreme temperatures without expelling or breaking the mirror element. Means are provided for preventing the mirror from vibrating within the case.

Abstract: A biased rod-tube visual indicator is restrained by a fusible binder. At a selected temperature, the binder will release the rod to an extended position. A reverse spiral coil is provided at the top inner edge of the tube to guide the indicating rod to its extended position.

Abstract: A process for reversing the sides of a wide endless type recording belt comprising the steps of passing one edge of the belt through the interior of the belt, bending the said belt at a particular point on the belt and rotating the entire belt around the bent point until the belt is completely inverted. Two similar processes are disclosed, one leaving a slight protrusion formed by the bending of said belt and the other leaving a slight indentation in the belt after inverting the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a guiding device for flexible materials in which an element, representing the actual guide passage to be produced, is made with the aid of a malleable material; the element is positioned in a mould which has the general shape of the outer contour of the device to be produced; a resin is cast inside this mould and onto the element, and the malleable material constituting the inner element is then eliminated with the aid of an agent which has no action on the resin.