Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and devices relate to inkjet printing a covering layer on at least a first side of a substrate in a peripheral region thereof are discussed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head having a flow path communicating with a discharge port for discharging liquid includes in the following order: preparing a substrate with an evenly provided first layer as a flat layer; forming, of the first layer, a pattern of the flow path for forming the flow path, and a member (A) provided outside the pattern via a gap; providing a second layer so as to fill the gap and to cover the pattern and the member (A); forming, of the second layer, a member (B) for forming the discharge port on the pattern; and removing the member (A), providing, at least on the substrate, a third layer so as to hold it in intimate contact with the member (B), and removing the pattern to form the flow path.

Abstract: High-throughput production apparatuses, systems, and associated methods may include pneumatic dense phase feeding. For example, a method may involve feeding via pneumatic dense phase feeding a matrix material into a mold cavity to form a desired cross-sectional shape, the matrix material comprising a binder particle and an active particle; heating (e.g., via microwave irradiation) at least a portion of the matrix material so as to bind the matrix material at a plurality of contact points thereby forming a porous mass length; cooling the porous mass length; and cutting the porous mass length radially thereby producing a porous mass. In some instances, the matrix material may include a plurality of active particles, a plurality of binder particles (optionally having a hydrophilic surface modification), and optionally a microwave enhancement additive.

Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a catalytic converter component, a ceramic unit is used that has been prepared by extruding green ceramic product through a die to form an extrusion having a honeycomb substrate structure in which tubular passages extend along the extrusion, the passages bounded by walls dividing adjacent passages from one another. The unit is obtained by cutting off a length of the extrusion and curing and firing it. The process further comprises flowing insulation material from one end of the unit into selected ones of the elongate passages, the insulating material then being cured by microwave irradiation. The passages are selected so that the cured insulation material forms an internal thermal insulating barrier between a core zone of the unit and a radially outer zone of the unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a fiber composite component, comprising the steps: introduction of a first body (12), consisting of fibers and a matrix material, into a mold (10), said first body (12) having a continuous first body edge (18); the first body (12) is irradiated with microwaves (28) to produce a fiber-composite component. According to the invention, the first body (12) is introduced into the mold (10) in such a way that at least parts of the first body edge (18) are brought into contact with the mold (10).

Abstract: A microwave-sensitive thermoplastic composition that includes a microwave-receptive additive; and a thermoplastic polymer; wherein the microwave-receptive additive is selected from the group consisting of sepiolite clay, molecular sieves formed from ammonium ion salts or hydrogen ion salts, aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophasphates, silicotitanates, organo-modified clays, molecular sieves or zeolites having a caged organic microwave receptive material, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A compounded rubber, which is made up of an NBR polymer, an organic peroxide and a blowing agent, to which 1 to 100 parts by weight of a synthetic silicic acid serving as a reinforcing filler and 10 to 200 parts by weight of precipitated calcium carbonate having a prismatic particle shape and serving as a filler are added to 100 parts by weight of the NBR polymer, is extrusion molded by a continuous extruder, and heated by HA heating and UHF heating in combination throughout the rubber to cause vulcanization and expansion, thereby providing a thick sponge having a homogenous cell structure. The sponge is passed through press rolls, and the resulting sheet stock is cut or punched with a cutting or punching machine into pieces of a desired form to obtain an applicator for cosmetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production and form preservation of an end-product made of cementitious material comprising a rapid stiffening phase of the neo-extruded end-product made of cementitious material by irradiation of the neo-extruded end-product with microwaves.

Abstract: A method for processing a thermoplastic material that comprises a microwave-sensitive polymeric region, wherein the method includes exposing the microwave-sensitive polymeric region to microwaves; wherein the exposing results in an increase in the temperature of the polymeric region; and processing the thermoplastic material is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the production of a plastics pipe (9) comprising an inner core and an outer removable skin bonded thereto, which method comprises co-extruding molten polymeric materials forming the inner core and the outer removable skin layer from one or more extruder dies, bringing the polymeric materials together and allowing them to solidify, and conditioning the solidified polymeric materials at a temperature and for a time sufficient to influence the adhesion of the outer skin layer to the inner core, such that on cooling the adhesion of the outer skin layer to the inner core is sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation of the pipe (9), but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being clearly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe (9), and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb structure, made from a porous ceramic material, said structure being characterized in that the porous ceramic material which forms it comprises: from 50 to 95% by weight of silicon carbide SiC; from 5 to 50% by weight of at least one ceramic oxide phase, said structure additionally being characterized by a porosity greater than 10%, by a specific surface area greater than 0.5 m2/g and by a pore size distribution of at least bimodal type. The invention also relates to the process for obtaining such a structure and also to the catalytic support or filter obtained from such a structure, after deposition of a catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of preparation of components and articles of manufacture containing at least one of such components, such as tires, and the resulting prepared components and fabricated articles, by use of directed high frequency energy internally heated silica-rich rubber compositions which contain sulfur curative and a significant content of high softening point polymer, namely a polymer and/or elastomer having a melting point (Tm) and/or high glass transition temperature (Tg) above 0° C., and particularly above 30° C., and which contains a minimal, if any, carbon black reinforcement. Such directed high frequency energy heating is provided, individually, by directed radio frequency (electromagnetic) radiation and/or by directed microwave radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides porous silicon nitride ceramics that having uniform, fine closed pores and a manufacturing method thereof. Metal Si powder is mixed with a sintering additive, followed by thermal treatment, which is a pre-process for forming a specific grain boundary phase. Two-stage thermal treatment is thereafter performed by microwave heating at a temperature of 1000° C. or more. The metal Si powder is thereafter subjected to a nitriding reaction from its surface, the metal Si is thereafter diffused to nitride formed on the outer shell thereof such that porous silicon nitride ceramics having uniform, fine closed pores can be produced. Having a high ratio of closed pores and being superior in electrical/mechanical characteristics, the porous silicon nitride ceramics can display excellent characteristics if used, for example, for an electronic circuit board that requires an anti-hygroscopicity, a low dielectric constant, a low dielectric loss, and mechanical strength.

Abstract: Manufactured articles and methods of producing such articles are disclosed where the article has a thermoplastic polymer component and a curable polymer component. The curable polymer may be moisture-curable polymer, or microwave, dielectric or radio frequency curable polymer. The articles may be manufactured by a variety of polymer processing methods including extrusion, co-extrusion, co-molding, injection molding and calendering. A variety of articles and shapes may be made by the method including electric wire and cable, and weatherstripping.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multicomponent fiber containing at least two polymer components arranged in distinct zones or segments across the cross-section of the fiber wherein at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoplastic polymer and at least one component of the fiber contains a thermoset polymer. The invention also provides fabrics and fabric laminates containing the multicomponent fibers, and articles containing the fabric. Additionally provided is a process for producing the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing tubular containers with an open filling opening and with an end that is provided with a seal. The inventive method comprises the following steps: separately producing a preform with a neck with definitive dimensions and a tubular body with smaller dimensions than the definitive form, the tubular body containing the open filling opening; fixing the preform that is produced to a drawing head by its neck and subjecting it to at least one partial heating process; introducing the heated preform that is attached to the drawing head into the inside of a multi-part closed blow mold in such a way that the open filling opening is air-tightly held at the lower end of the blow mold; fitting a blow nozzle to the filling opening of the preform.

Abstract: A method of preparing a nonwoven web that has substantially continuous synthetic fine fiber includes preparing an aqueous amide crosslinked polymer solution. The solution is extruded through a die having a plurality of orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are then attenuated with a primary gaseous source under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, at a rate sufficient to provide fibers having a desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a thermoplastic film is advanced onto a foraminous surface and impinged with hydraulic energy so as to impart an image or pattern into the film. In an effort to retain the image or pattern within the film, the film is exposed to a frequency range during the drying process, such as that frequency range which is provided by microwaves. It has been found that utilizing a frequency range of electro-magnetic radiation, like that of microwaves during the drying process of the film does not flatten or distort the image or pattern within the film, whereas a drying process utilizing hot air tends to soften the film, which has a deleterious on the image within the film.

Abstract: Thermally divisible multicomponent fibers (4) having at least a first component including an elastomeric polymer (6) and at least a second component including a non-elastomeric polymer (8). The multicomponent fibers are useful in the manufacture of nonwoven structures, and in particular nonwoven structures used as synthetic suede and filtration media.

Abstract: A gypsum wallboard core, and methods and apparatus for making the same are disclosed. Methods of making a gypsum wallboard core include extruding a gypsum slurry containing water, gypsum, slip agents, water-reducing agents, surfactants and, optional additives, through a die and onto a substantially flat, smooth, moving surface. The die has provisions at its outer sides for the introduction of slip agents into the slurry, and provisions at its lateral outer edges for the introduction of a strength-enhancing agent. Once extruded onto the conveyor belt, the slurry is chemically-activated to set and form a hardened board core which then may be easily removed from the conveyor belt and dried.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making biodegradable films and biodegradable precursor films having enhanced breathability and ductility. The method includes blending a water soluble polymer and a biodegradable polymer to form a blended polymer mixture. The biodegradable polymer is preferably a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, and the water-soluble polymer is preferably polyethylene oxide and/or polyethylene glycol. The blended polymer mixture is formed into a precursor film. The precursor film is further processed to form a breathable biodegradable film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.

Abstract: We have determined that strength characteristics of elastic strand improve when the strand is heated. Thus, the present invention is directed to improving strength characteristics of an elastic strand by heating the strand. The strand may be heated by thermal conduction and/or convection, by irradiative methods using, for example, infrared or microwave radiation, or some combination of these. If the elastic strand is made at a location different from the location where the strand is used as a raw material, the strand may be heated at either location, or both locations. Furthermore, the strand may be heated in-line, i.e. as part of the process that makes the strand or the process that uses the strand as a raw material, or off-line, i.e. in a step separate from either of the aforementioned processes. Finally, in addition to heat treating the strand, the strand's exposure to water or water vapor may be regulated to reduce or eliminate strength degradation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making biodegradable films and biodegradable precursor films having enhanced breathability and ductility. The method includes blending a water soluble polymer and a biodegradable polymer to form a blended polymer mixture. The biodegradable polymer is preferably a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, and the water-soluble polymer is preferably polyethylene oxide and/or polyethylene glycol. The blended polymer mixture is formed into a precursor film. The precursor film is further processed to form a breathable biodegradable film.

Abstract: Manufactured articles and methods of producing such articles are disclosed where the article has a thermoplastic polymer component and a curable polymer component. The curable polymer may be moisture-curable polymer, or microwave, dielectric or radio frequency curable polymer. The articles may be manufactured by a variety of polymer processing methods including extrusion, co-extrusion, co-molding, injection molding and calendering. A variety of articles and shapes may be made by the method including electric wire and cable, and weatherstripping.

Abstract: A process and installation are provided for making an extruded sintered ceramic product. The method involves extruding a moist profile and simultaneously drying it with microwave radiation as it is extruded. As the profile is extruded and dried, it is supported at a position where it has been at least partially dried. The installation comprises extrusion means for extruding a moist profile, support means for supporting the extruded profile at an at least partially dried part thereof, and a microwave radiation source for directing microwaves at the profile.

Abstract: A method of dispensing the material that is heated by microwave energy immediately before the material is dispensed. The method comprises a series of steps including conveying the material through a pressurized passage through a dispensing tube that has radial boundaries transparent to microwave energy. The dispensing tube is located within a microwave resonant chamber. The microwave energy is channeled from a microwave generating source along a waveguide to the microwave resonant chamber. Material within the passage is heated by the microwave energy and produces a TM.sub.020 heating profile with negligible heating at the radial boundaries of the dispensing tube. The material is dispensed onto a component along a path. The dispensing step requires a measure of time to define a dispensing cycle. The output of the microwave generating source is varied. The amount of microwave heating that occurs within the material is dependent upon the output of the microwave generating source.

Abstract: Process for the production of cellulose fibres having a reduced tendency to fibrillation, in which a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide is spun into fibres and the freshly spun fibres are contacted with a textile agent comprising at least two reactive groups, and are heat-treated, characterized in that the heat treatment is carried out by means of irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Process for the production of cellulose fibres having a reduced tendency to fibrillation, in which a solution of cellulose in a tertiary amine-oxide is spun into fibres and the freshly spun fibres are contacted with a textile agent comprising at least two reactive groups, and are heat-treated, characterized in that the heat treatment is carried out by means of irradiation with electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an ink jet recording head in which at least liquid channels, discharge ports and a ceiling plate for the formation of an ink liquid chamber are laminated on a substrate having ink discharge energy generating elements arranged on its surface, characterized in that said ceiling plate is formed of a high molecular resin having dispersed water-repellent grains composed of fluoro-oligomer, fluoropolymer, or fluorinated graphite.

Abstract: Process and apparatus, in which a stream of liquid reactants is heated in a resonant microwave cavity operating in a TM.sub.0n0 mode and then provided with sufficient time in an annular plug flow reactor to complete the reaction results in improved time-temperature uniformity for all volume elements of the stream and are particularly suited for production of polyurethane prepolymer. A special cleaning method is provided for removing polymeric residues from the equipment with a solution of a monofunctional secondary amine in an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-rusting unitary co-extruded article, which may be used for a variety of purposes, including a seal. The co-extruded article includes at least two dissimilar discrete parts such as a rubber component, referred to herein as the "rubber extrudate," and a thermoplastic component, referred to herein as the "plastic extrudate." A particular advantage of the invention is that the rubber extrudate and thermoplastic extrudate are cohesively joined at their interface. By cohesively joined, it is meant that the two extrudates stick together tightly without the necessity of a separate adhesive. Where hardness is desired of the thermoplastic extrudate, ethylene vinyl acetate is generally preferred. Where a seal is desired, the rubber extrudate includes ethylene propylene diene rubber, which provides a suitable seal. The invention also relates to a method for making the same.