Abstract: A method making a plastic container in accordance with one aspect of the present invention includes molding an intermediate container product having a body and a moil integral with the body. The body is of layered construction that includes at least one layer of barrier resin that extends part-way into but not throughout the moil. The upper portion of the moil, in which the barrier material is absent, is removed for recycling as process regrind. The lower portion of the moil is removed to form the container. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper portion of the moil is removed in a laser trimming operation. The lower portion of the moil is removed in the preferred embodiment of the invention by inserting a plug into the open end or mouth of the container, and employing a cutting tool that is positioned by the plug for accurately trimming of the container product with respect to the mouth of the container. The cutting tool preferably is either a pair of shear rollers or a laser cutting tool.

Abstract: A man-made, molded article is provided. The article includes a profile including a planar wall, and an adjacent integral molded depression having a contoured wall extending downwardly from the planar wall. The contoured wall includes a bead portion, a cove portion, and a ledge between the bead and cove portions. The articles are stackable, one above another for transport, in a nestable relationship in which multiple contact zones are present between the contoured walls of an adjacently stacked pair of the molded articles. The contact zones include an arcuately extending contact interface zone between the bead exterior and interior surfaces. The depression has a substantially uniform thickness varying by no more than about +1 percent to about ?11 percent in relation to a thickness of the planar wall. Related methods and assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: A fillable rearview mirror assembly and method of molding a carrier for the assembly are provided. The mirror assembly has a hollow carrier that can be at least partially filled with a material having a density different than that of the carrier. A mirror can be attached to the carrier and the carrier attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement over the flexible composite tubing described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,491,779, 6,804,942, and 7,073,978, wherein said improvement provides for void space or otherwise insulating region along the length of the tubing. The present invention is additionally directed to methods for implementing such improvement.

Abstract: High gas barrier, delamination-resistant polyamide compositions suitable for extended shelf-life packaging applications are provided. Also provided are polyamide compositions exhibiting high oxygen scavenging capability. The polyamide compositions comprise mXDA-IPA containing copolymers which provide excellent properties to the complete polyamide compositions. Also provided are direct blends of the polyamide compositions with other polymers. The polyamide products are particularly suited for producing barrier packaging articles such as monolayer or multi-layer films, sheets, thermoformed containers and molded bottles. Such articles are useful in a variety of oxygen-sensitive food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and health care product packaging applications.

Abstract: Multilayer shaped articles, including films, preforms and containers, and method for forming the same, having at least one layer of poly(l, 3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) and at least one layer of poly(ethylene terephthalate). Poly(1,3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) can be co-stretched with poly(ethylene terephthalate) to form oriented multilayer structures which have superior barrier properties. The poly(l,3-propylene 2,6-naphthalate) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) layers have good adhesion and do not require an adhesive tie layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a hollow parison includes forming a parison having a wail of multiple layers of polymer including a barrier layer, and open ends, each end having an end surface extending around the periphery of the respective end. A mold is formed having a first section and a second section facing the first section, the mold forming a cavity between the two mold sections when the mold is closed, and defining surfaces to which the parison conforms when the mold is closed. The mold sections are closed on the parison such that in the mold at each end of the parison a first portion of each end surface is compressed against a second portion of the respective end surface. The mold sections are further closed on the parison such the barrier layer of the first portion and second portion of the end surface at each parison end are joined and welded mutually along a seal line. Then the mold is opened and a hollow, formed tank is removed from the mold.

Abstract: In order to provide a tubular moulding with a wall, which has high compressive strength and high mechanical stability with good temperature resistance and good chemical resistance, it is proposed that the wall comprises a composite, which comprises a plastics material layer, which is formed from a material containing a fluoropolymer material, and a reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a parison is described. The apparatus has a mandrel housing. The housing has an axially aligned hollow mandrel channel therein and a side channel substantially transverse to the mandrel channel. A mandrel is also provided. The mandrel has an axially oriented notch in an exterior surface. The notch is in fluid communication with two fluid channels that extend continuously downwardly around the mandrel to meet one another on an opposite side of the mandrel from the notch. When the mandrel is installed within the mandrel channel, a first radial gap and a second radial gap, both between the mandrel and the mandrel housing, are formed.

Abstract: A tube assembly for carrying malodoriforous matter from the human body comprises a silicone based tube having a central bore for the malodoriforous matter, and a tubular sleeve member comprising an odor barrier material, the silicone based tube and the tubular sleeve member being arranged one within the other such that the tubular sleeve member provides an odor barrier to obstruct leakage of odors from malodoriforous matter in the bore of the silicone based tube. The tube assembly is especially suitable for use in fecal or bowel management apparatus.

Abstract: A dual-texture article comprises at least two same or different polymers having same or different melt flow rates that cause co-moulding/over-moulding of the polymers upon injection stretch blow moulding. The article has at least two interlocked combined layers. A method of manufacturing the article includes providing an intermediate layer of plastics material with at least one opening therein, injection moulding an outer layer of plastics material upon the intermediate layer to form a dual-layer insert therewith, placing the dual-layer insert into a blow moulding cavity, and blow moulding a plastics pre-form in the blow moulding cavity such that a portion of the pre-form engages with the intermediate layer and wherein the plastics pre-form connects with the outer layer through said opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a decorative sheet having a base film made of a thermoplastic polyester resin and a decorative layer on the base film, and provides a decorated resin molding produced by using the decorative sheet. The base film is not broken in both of MD (a flow direction of film-forming) and TD (a direction perpendicular to MD) and has a stress of 20 N/cm2 or less in any of MD and TD under a 200% elongation at 80° C. The decorated resin molding includes a resin molding and the decorative sheet which is unitedly laminated to the resin molding. The decorative layer of the decorative sheet faces toward the resin molding. The decorative sheet is suitable for producing the decorated resin molding by a decorating injection molding method.

Abstract: A synthetic resin container according to the invention has a craze pattern on the outer surface of its body. The container comprises an inner layer that comes into direct contact with content during its storage, an outer layer laid over the inner layer, and a translucent protective layer laid over the outer layer. The outer layer carries a craze pattern that has been obtained by applying a solvent to a preform or parison of the container after blow molding thereof. The protective layer covers and protects that portion of the outer layer, which carries the craze pattern, and preserves its visibility from outside.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a stent, including radially expanding and axial extending a polymer tube, are disclosed.

Abstract: A twin-wall pipe comprises an internal pipe and an external pipe. The external pipe is corrugated, having elevations and troughs. The twin-wall pipe is further provided with a socket. In a transition portion towards the twin-wall pipe and the socket, provision is made for at least one overflow passage which interconnects the clearance between the external pipe and internal pipe in the vicinity of the transition portion and an adjacent elevation.

Abstract: A process and a production installation for producing shell-shaped, fiber-reinforced plastic parts are provided. The plastic parts can be produced efficiently, in an automated manner which is flexible with respect to the process and workpiece and is operationally reliable. A blank of the endless fiber mat corresponding to a workpiece is placed in an automated manner by industrial robots onto a clamping frame surrounding the female mold and is taken over by the clamping frame in a clamping manner and in such a way that it can slide after itself against a defined resistance. Wide-ranging accessibility required for this is created by a horizontally movable unit, comprising a female mold and a clamping frame, being temporarily moved completely out from the forming press and moved back again into the forming press after completion of loading.

Abstract: A process for the production of composite tubing, particularly for air conditioning, from a structure of mineral or organic fibers, natural or artificial. The structure of fibers is impregnated with a suitable resin, and after shaping in or on a mold, the temperature and possibly the pressure is raised for polymerization of the resin, a sealing of the wall of the shaped piece being carried out in the course of this process. The structure of fibers is constituted by a single ply of a unit weight of at least about 400 g/m2, which ply is impregnated with resin at an impregnation quantity of at least 40%, then there is emplaced on one of the surfaces of the single ply a coating of a sealing agent. The polymerization is carried out while the single ply and its coating have the desired shape in or on the mold.

Abstract: A monolithic dome shaped building of a size suitable to receive at least one relatively large vehicle, such as an airplane, is formed with a generally rectangular shaped access opening of sufficient size to enable passage of an airplane or other large vehicle into and out of the building. A three-dimensional unitary door is supported at an upper marginal edge on a guide track for lateral movement of the door between a first position closing the access opening and a second open position enabling passage through the access opening. The door includes a rigid frame structure having spaced upstanding frame members having outer convex surfaces similar to the convex contour of the dome wall adjacent the access opening.

Abstract: The method of making a tubular member having a continuous and uninterrupted cured elastomeric resin coating on an outer surface of the member includes forming a continuous uninterrupted tubular layer of uncured elastomeric resin and drawing the resin layer against the surface of the tubular member to be coated by applying suction between the resin layer and the surface of the tubular member so that the resin adheres to the surface of the tubular member. The elastomeric resin may then be cured to produce the final product. Apparatus for carrying out the process includes, in sequence, a coating zone including a sub-atmospheric chamber, a heating zone and a feed mechanism for advancing the tubular member relative to the coating and heating zones. A method includes molding a distal end cap on an open end of a length of a preformed tubular sleeve member that may be used for prosthetic applications.

Abstract: Low polymer stress balloons are made by expanding a tube radially while allowing the ends of the tube to move axially in response to the radial expansion.

Abstract: Transparent polyamide molding materials are provided which are characterized in that they have a melting enthalpy between 0 and 12 J/g and the polyamides are constituted of 100 mole-% of a diamine mixture having 10-70 mole-% of PACM [bis-(4-amino-cyclohexyl)-methane] with less than 50 wt.

Abstract: In solid freeform fabrication processes that make use of a removable support material, pre-calculation of the amount of support material needed for a build is difficult (inaccurate or slow) because the digital data for generating the support material is often not generated until the build is in progress. A method is proposed that has been shown to generate rapid and accurate estimates of the amount of both build and support material needed before a build begins, to accurately predict before a build begins when replenishment materials are needed, and to track material consumptions over time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container for containing an oxygen sensitive products from a heated plastic by blow molding the plastic with a compressed gas that is inert to the oxygen sensitive product. The heated plastic may contain an oxygen barrier layer or an oxygen scavenging component. The gas is also inert to the oxygen scavenging component, if it is present. An exemplary compressed gas is nitrogen gas. The blow molding may be extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding or stretch blow molding. The plastic may be, for example, a polyolefin, a nylon, or a polyester.

Abstract: A medical device (110) including a catheter shaft (111) and a unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) having a varying durometer, and optionally including an expandable balloon (18, 118). One or both of the unitarily and continuously formed portion (108) and the balloon (18, 118) are made from an irradiation cross-linked or cross-linkable mixture of a polyamide elastomer and at least one additional cross-linking reactant. The polyamide elastomer can be a polyester amide, a polyether ester amide or a polyether amide, and is preferably a nylon block copolymer. The aromatic molecule can be 1,3,5 triethyl benzene; 1,2,4 triethyl benzene; and 1,3,5 triisopropyl benzene. The cross-linking reactant can be: (a) a difunctional material, (b) a trifunctional material, (c) a tetrafunctional material, or (d) an aromatic molecule containing at least two ring substituents, each of the ring substituents having labile hydrogens at a benzylic site therein.

Abstract: A mixture of carbon-containing fibers, such as mesophase or isotropic pitch fibers, a suitable matrix material, such as a milled pitch is compressed while resistively heating the mixture to form a carbonized composite material. Preferably, the carbonized material has a density of at least about 1.30 g/cm3. Preferably, the composite material is formed in less than ten minutes. This is a significantly shorter time than for conventional processes, which typically take several days and achieve a lower density material. A treating component may be impregnated into the composite. Consequently, carbon composite materials having final densities of about 1.6-1.8 g/cm3 or higher are readily achieved with one or two infiltration cycles using a pitch or other carbonaceous material to fill voids in the composite and rebaking.

Abstract: The inventive method concerns a process of transferring resin into reinforcing material used in the manufacture of composite articles. A first step in the method involves positioning at least one layer of the reinforcing material on the surface of an open mold. Subsequently, a sealant layer is applied in liquid form over the reinforcing material to create an airtight chamber encapsulating the reinforcing material between the sealant layer and the mold. After the sealant layer is allowed to cure, resin is drawn through the reinforcing material.

Abstract: A process for forming a cushion layer of a preselected thickness on an inside of a prosthetic liner body is provided and includes the steps of introducing the liner body into a mold cavity; disposing a sufficient amount of cushioning material into the inside of the liner and directing a mandrel into the inside of the liner body. The driving action of the mandrel causes the cushioning material to be dispersed between the mandrel and the liner body, thereby forming the cushioning layer of preselected thickness.

Abstract: A film is placed over a mold cavity and molten plastic deposited thereon to form a combination of a film with molten plastic thereon. The film-molten plastic combination is then formed in said mold cavity into a molded article in the shape of the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a container for containing an oxygen sensitive product from a heated plastic by blow molding the plastic with a compressed gas that is inert to the oxygen sensitive product. The heated plastic may contain an oxygen barrier layer or an oxygen scavenging component. The gas is also inert to the oxygen scavenging component, if it is present. An exemplary compressed gas is nitrogen gas. The blow molding may be extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding or stretch blow molding. The plastic may be, for example, a polyolefin, a nylon, or a polyester.

Abstract: In order to provide a process for the production of a component consisting of a fiber reinforced material, with which liquid resin is supplied to a semifinished fiber article by way of application by vacuum pressure, it is provided for a heat curing resin to be used as resin and for application by vacuum pressure and temperature to be controlled such that in relation to the liquid resin the boiling point curve of the resin is not exceeded.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a faceplate for a flat-panel display such as a field emission cathode type display is disclosed, the faceplate having integral spacer support structures. Also disclosed is a product made by the aforesaid process.

Abstract: A method of preventing delamination of multiple layers of an oriented polymer container having an opening defined by the multiple layers comprising a bi-axially oriented multilayer polymer container having an opening defined by a perimeter at which the multiple layers are exposed; heating the perimeter until workable; providing a curling die; feeding the multilayer perimeter into the curling die to curl the perimeter sufficiently to inhibit delamination of the layers and a container when so made.

Abstract: A hollow body is formed from several multi-layer plastic elements which are welded together and comprise a barrier layer that is a barrier to liquids and to gases. The elements form an appendage which extends from an outer surface of the hollow body, wherein the appendage comprises two multi-layer plastic layers, each of the two layers having a respective barrier layer. A method for manufacturing the hollow body includes using compression moulding in a multi-part mould comprising welding kerbs. When the mould is being closed, at least the barrier layers of the multi-layer plastic elements are forced to flow into a shallow slot formed between the welding kerbs of the closed mould. A multi-part compression-blow-moulding mould comprises welding kerbs which, when the mould is closed, form a slot or space between them with a height of cross section that decreases towards the outside of the mould and which is extended by a shallow and broad slot intended to compress the plastic.

Abstract: A method of forming a unitary, composite structural member, and a member formed in accordance with the process. The process involves stitching a plurality of warp knit panel sections together to generally form a plurality of independent panel sections. The sections are placed within the dies of a molding tool such that a rib portion of each section aligns. Inflatable bladders are then slipped into voids formed in between the various panel sections of the assembly. The bladders are inflated to hold the panel sections in the shape of the final product and to hold the rib portions in contact with one another. Resin is then infused into the panels that make up the assembly. The assembly is then cured. When the panels are removed from the molding tool a unitary, complexly shaped, composite structural member is formed.

Abstract: There is provided a pipe extrusion die that includes a first and second die assembly. The first and second die assembly each include an extrusion head, a nozzle carrying an outer die lip, a hollow mandrel, an inner mandrel carrying an inner die lip, and a layer-forming channel. The layer-forming channel is defined by the space between the nozzle and inner mandrel. The extrusion die includes a space between the nozzle of the second die assembly and the inner mandrel of the first die assembly such that the first and second die assembly do not share a common wall. The space between the inner and outer die lip (die gap) can be individually adjusted and the second die assembly is freely movable relative to the first die assembly. The extrusion die also includes a vacuum cooling mandrel with a single cooling channel and multiple vacuum ports that provide improved vacuum control over the final die product.

Abstract: A welding joint 10 for a fuel tank reduces the amount of fuel vapor in the fuel tank that escapes into the atmosphere. The fuel tank welding joint 10 a joint main body 20 and a barrier layer laminated on the surface of the joint main body 20. The joint main body 20 is formed of a first resin material weldable to the wall of the fuel tank FT, and the barrier layer 30 is formed of a second resin material that is adhesively and chemically reactive with the first resin material and that is more fuel-impermeable than the first resin material. An end portion 34 formed so as to be exposed to the outside at the end of a tube portion 24 is formed on the barrier layer 30. When the barrier layer 30 is injection molded on the surface of the joint main body 20, the end portion 34 is formed by the flow of the second resin material through the end of the tube portion 24 to increase the adhesive strength of the end face where the parts are joined.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced urethane product having a urethane wear layer and a integral reinforcing member. A reinforcing member is formed from a woven fiber material that has a shape generally corresponding to the desired urethane product, such as a composite urethane pipe. The reinforcing member is initially stiffened through application of a sizing compound. Once stiffened, the reinforcing member is inserted into a mold and a supply of urethane is forced outward toward the inner wall of the mold cavity such that the urethane penetrates into the woven fibers of the reinforcing member. The urethane is cured in the mold and the completed reinforced urethane product is removed from the mold for use. The liquid urethane is preferably forced outward within the mold through application of either a centrifugal force or the application of positive pressure.

Abstract: A medical balloon having a high burst strength and the ability to return to its preinflation diameter following repeated inflation may be prepared from a first inner layer of material, a second intermediate layer of expanded PTFE and a third outer layer of material.

Abstract: A preform and method used to make a container which has a blown wide-mouth finish and a multilayer wall structure. The injection molded preform has a multi-layer container body forming portion, a mono-layer moil forming portion and a blown finish forming portion located between the container body forming portion and the moil forming portion. The preform is blown into an intermediate article consisting of a blown finish wide-mouth multi-layer container and a mono-layer moil portion which is severed from the intermediate article and recycled. The multilayer wall structure can include at least one layer of a gas barrier material, a cost-effective recycled material, or a material which strengthens and/or lightweights the container.

Abstract: Composite tubulars that have not been polymerized and are thus flexible enough to be coiled are delivered into a wellbore and expanded. The expansion occurs from an external catalyst such as heat or releases the internal catalyst and allows the expanded tubular to become rigid. Optionally, healing agents can be imbedded in the tubular wall to be released to seal subsequently forming cracks.

Abstract: A hollow body is formed from several multi-layer plastic elements which are welded together and comprise a barrier layer that is a barrier to liquids and to gases. The elements form an appendage which extends from an outer surface of the hollow body, wherein the appendage comprises two multi-layer plastic layers, each of the two layers having a respective barrier layer. A method for manufacturing the hollow body includes using compression moulding in a multi-part mould comprising welding kerbs. When the mould is being closed, at least the barrier layers of the multi-layer plastic elements are forced to flow into a shallow slot formed between the welding kerbs of the closed mould. A multi-part compression-blow-moulding mould comprises welding kerbs which, when the mould is closed, form a slot or space between them with a height of cross section that decreases towards the outside of the mould and which is extended by a shallow and broad slot intended to compress the plastic.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of fabricating a composite material hockey stick shaft using internal bladder pressure molding technology. The bladder is inserted over a mandrel and composite materials are disposed on the bladder forming a soft, uncured piece. The mandrel is removed and the piece is disposed in a mold following which air pressure is applied to the bladder which deforms the piece to conform to the shape of the cavity. The addition of pressure and heat cures the composite materials and produces a finished hockey stick shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a packaging container and a method of producing a packaging container for liquid contents. The packaging container has a casing produced from a web-shaped multilayer material and in the form of a sleeve, which, at one end, is connected to a bottom portion and at the other end is connected to a top portion produced from a blow molded thermoplastic material. The casing is formed by winding of the multilayer material into sleeve form and liquid-tight sealing of the material edges to a joint seam extending longitudinally of the sleeve, the top portion being manufactured in that thermoplastic material is extruded to form a hose which is blow molded into continuous top portions which are separated from one another and connected to the sleeve.

Abstract: The inventive method concerns a process of transferring resin into reinforcing fiber material used in the manufacture of composite articles. A first step in the method involves positioning at least one layer of the reinforcing fiber material on the surface of an open mold. The reinforcing fiber material typically consists of glass, carbon, linear polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester fibers. Subsequently, a sealant layer is applied in liquid form over the reinforcing fiber material to create an airtight chamber encapsulating the reinforcing fiber material between the sealant layer and the mold. After the sealant layer is allowed to cure, a vacuum pressure is applied to the airtight chamber to draw resin through the reinforcing fiber material. For example, the resin can be an epoxy, polyester or vinyl ester resin.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite structure is disclosed herein. The process uses a frame and selectively pressurizable forms. The forms define the interior members of the composite structure and frames define the exterior surface of the composite structure. Composite material is wrapped around the forms and the forms and composite material are placed in the frame. Selective forms are then pressurized and the composite material is co-cured together. A single piece co-cured fuselage incorporating a plurality of stiffeners is also disclosed in the application. The stiffeners are co-cured to the fuselage and may be in various patterns. The patterns may include an iso-grid pattern, and ortho-grid pattern, and a hoop-grid pattern.

Abstract: Sheath materials and processes are disclosed. For example, hypotube sheaths and processes of making hypotube sheaths are disclosed. Devices and systems, including medical devices and systems, such as catheters, containing hypotube sheaths are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel tank has a plurality of fuel system components therein and is formed by incorporating the fuel system components into the fuel tank as it is being formed. The fuel system components may be mounted on a carrier and then disposed with the carrier within a parison subsequently molded to form the fuel tank around the components and carrier. Desirably, all electrical, fuel and vapor lines may extend out of a single opening of the fuel tank to reduce openings in the formed fuel tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting a flexible liner 2 including a layer 3 of composite material comprising thermoplastics material and reinforcing fibres, into a structural member within a duct 1, has a front portion 6 for insertion in the liner 2, a central portion 7 for heating one side of the layer 3 and a rear portion 20 which forces the heated layer 3 against the duct 1 for consolidation and cooling under pressure. The central portion 7 has heating means 8 producing hot gas which is forced under pressure through the layer 3 of composite material to heat the layer 3, and provides an air gap 14 on the opposite side of the layer 3 while heating takes place. This ensures uniform heating of the layer 3, to melt the thermoplastics material which then mixes intimately with the reinforcing fibres, and is consolidated and cooled to form the structural member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a blow-molded vehicle part and a blow-molding process for generating a one-piece vehicle part with improved strength, aesthetic appearance and reduced weight and cost. The blow-molded vehicle part includes a front vehicle part portion and a back vehicle part portion, wherein the front vehicle part and the back vehicle part have at least an outer unreinforced layer of a thermoplastic that forms a smooth outer surface of the vehicle part and a reinforced inner layer.

Abstract: A reinforced composite structure (29) is disclosed. The structure is formed by opposed layers of material extending over a core and continuous bundles stitched in a repeating pattern through the opposed layers (30, 32) and the intermediate core (29) to form the reinforced composite structural member (29).