Abstract: A method for infrared bonding a transparent plastic article having a first surface and a transparent bonding surface to an opaque plastic article having an opaque bonding surface. The method includes the following steps: The transparent article is aligned with the opaque article. The transparent bonding surface is juxtaposed the opaque bonding surface. An infrared beam is directed through the transparent article. The infrared beam is focused on the opaque bonding surface and causes the opaque bonding surface to heat and soften. The transparent article is contacted with the opaque article. The transparent and opaque bonding surfaces are urged together. The transparent and opaque bonding surfaces are fuse together.

Abstract: A method of making a hook strip having J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener. The method includes using an initial substrate of material formed as an array of upstanding precursor stems having distal tips at their ends opposite a backing. In addition, a heat source adapted for heating and a mechanism for deforming stem tips is provided. The substrate is positioned relative to the heat source such that a portion of the upstanding stems on the array is heated. Subsequently, the substrate is moved to a position relative to the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip of J-shaped hooks from the heated portion of the upstanding stems. In addition, an article of manufacture, made in accordance with the method, is provided which includes a hook portion of a hook-and-loop type of mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A method for forming a bend in a tube of thermoplastic material by heating a pre-formed bend to a pre-determined temperature and maintaining the temperature substantially constant by the pulsed emission of infra-red radiation from one or more infra-red sources in response to the surface temperature of the tube detected by a remote temperature sensor.

Abstract: A candle has an elongated wax body formed around a wick and having a tip from which the wick projects and which is formed with a shoulder. The candle is oriented upside down with the tip from which the wick projects directed downward and heat is projected against a surface of the tip to melt wax on the surface of the tip such that the melted wax runs down and drips off the candle tip and wick projecting therefrom. Heat is projected against the tip by directing a hot-air jet against the tip. Alternately this can be done by projecting infrared radiation against the tip. To achieve the most attractive results the candle is rotated about a central longitudinal candle axis while projecting heat against its tip.

Abstract: A method of socketing a pipe of oriented plastic having an annular groove inside the socket. An end portion (15) of the pipe is pushed onto a cylindrical mandrel element (11) and the region (l.sub.1) of the end portion at the opening thereof where the groove is to be located is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of amorphous plastic and the crystalline melting point of crystalline plastic, respectively. The rest of the end portion is maintained at a temperature below the glass transition temperature or the crystalline melting point, respectively. The end portion (15) when said region is at a temperature above the glass transition temperature or the crystalline melting point, respectively, is pushed onto a second mandrel element (13) axially aligned with the first mandrel element the bottom portion of the socket being formed by said second mandrel element (13). The rest of the end portion is expanded to form the bottom portion of the socket.

Abstract: Laminated, molded plastic articles having an excellent abrasion resistant coating are prepared by a 2-step process including applying to a mold surface a 100% reactive coating composition, at least partially curing the coating composition, applying to the exposed surface of the cured coating composition a thermoplastic material, and curing the thermoplastic material to form the laminated molded article. The coating composition includes a polyfunctional acrylic monomer, such as dipentaerythritol monohydroxypentacrylate, a mono functional acrylic monomer, such as hydroxymethylacrylate, an acrylic-soluble thermoplastic, such as cellulose acetate butyrate, an aminoplast resin, such as melamine-formaldehyde, and a free radical initiator. The coating composition is at least partially cured by either UV or IR radiation.

Abstract: A polymer injection molding unit is disclosed having a mold wall which includes a portion made of an infrared transmissible material which is radiated by an external infrared radiation source. Due to the passage of the infrared radiation through the infrared transmissible material, the infrared radiation is not absorbed by the mold wall and the mold wall is not substantially heated. The infrared radiation passes through the mold wall and is absorbed by the molten polymer material near the mold wall. As a result, the temperature of the molten polymer material rises and its viscosity is lowered to thereby enhance the shape transcription of complicated or fine shapes present on the mold wall, without increasing the temperature of the mold wall.

Abstract: A method for improving consolidation of powder resin is provided. The method broadly includes the steps of: (1) sorting particles of the powder resin according to their diameter; (2) combining the sorted particles having a first diameter D1 with the sorted particles having a second diameter D2 so as to form a particle mixture; (3) applying a vibration to the particle mixture; (4) heating the particle mixture; and (5) delivering the particle mixture through a nozzle or into a mold. The particle diameters D1 and D2 are chosen so that once combined there is optimal close packing of the three-dimensional spaces between the powder resin particles.

Abstract: A process for rapidly improving the flowability, in pellet form, of a molding composition is disclosed. Accordingly, the crystalline content of an amorphous or a semi-amorphous version of a crystallizable thermoplastic resin is increased by subjecting the resin to infra-red radiation to an extent which induces the formation of crystals in the irradiated amorphous resin or the increase of the level of crystals in the semi-amorphous irradiated resins. The resin modified by the inventive process is rendered more suitable for processing: in dried, pellet-form, the modified resin is characterized by its improved flowability. An article molded from the thus modified resin exhibits better properties than does a corresponding article made from a unmodified resins which has been subjected to similar drying conditions.

Abstract: A process for producing a hollow or sheet molded product having a superior appearance is provided, which process is characterized in that a multi-layer molded product having a surface layer (A) of a propylene random polymer of m.p. of 100.degree. to 150.degree. C. having a thickness of 1 to 20% of that of the molded product, and a substrate layer (B) of a thermoplastic resin of a m.p. higher than that of the propylene random polymer is formed and the surface layer (A) is heat-treated into a molten state, followed by immediately cooling to form a smooth surface.

Abstract: A single furnace loading cycle technique and a ventable sintering box therefor are disclosed for the sintering of products, such as, ceramic substrates. The sintering box includes a closeable cover which is held open by collapsible or deformable or sensitive spacers in a first furnace temperature range. The sensitive spacers collapse or deform in a higher temperature range to seal closed the box and the substrates therein. Additional spacers may be used for applying weight upon the substrates at the higher temperature range. Thus, volatile agents within the substrates are permitted to escape in the first temperature range but are prevented from escaping in the higher temperature range and in situ sintering weights can be applied without removing the substrates from the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for producing thin-film EL devices with short annealing treatment times and excellent productivity.A substrate to be subjected to annealing treatment is mounted on the surface of a stage. The substrate to be treated is constructed by forming lower electrodes, a lower insulating layer, an EL layer and an upper insulating layer in that order on a translucent substrate. Light-irradiating means is provided above and opposite the surface of the stage. The light-irradiating means includes a plurality of light sources and a reflecting panel, and the light sources are situated along each of a plurality of concavities provided in the reflecting panel. Light from the light sources irradiates roughly the entire surface of the substrate to be treated. The light from the light sources is selected so as to include the absorption wavelength band of the electrode material of the lower electrodes on the substrate.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for manufacturing sheets having a highly inorganically filled matrix. Suitable inorganically filled mixtures are prepared by mixing together an organic polymer binder, water, one or more inorganic aggregate materials, fibers, and optional admixtures in the correct proportions in order to form a sheet which has the desired performance criteria. The inorganically filled mixtures are formed into sheets by first extruding the mixtures and the passing the extruded materials between a set of rollers. The rolled sheets are dried in an accelerated manner to form a substantially hardened sheet, such as by heated rollers and/or a drying chamber. The inorganically filled sheets may have properties substantially similar to sheets presently made from traditional materials like paper, cardboard, polystyrene, plastic, or metal. Such sheets can be rolled, pressed, scored, perforated, folded, and glued.

Abstract: A method to locally heat a thermoplastic hinge and fold its semicylindrical members together so as to form a film cartridge. The cooled integrated hinge is locally heated in a manner whereby the semicylindrical members remain cool. When the thermoplastic hinge is ductile from the heat, the semicylindrical members are folded together.