Abstract: A method of molding a hollow, reinforced molded plastic article. A preform is provided in the shape of the article to be molded. The preform comprises randomly commingled, short lengths of thermoplastic and reinforcing fibers loosely bonded together. A core is provided within the preform and may either be a flexible inflatable core which may be removed later or a thermoplastic liner. The preform is placed in a mold and heated to fuse the thermoplastic while a pressurized liquid coolant is circulated within the core.

Abstract: An automotive quality paint coat (44) is laminated to the exterior surface of a molded plastic car body member or panel (118). In one embodiment, the paint coat (44) includes an exterior clear coat (45) above a color coat (46). During processing, the clear coat (45) and color coat (46) are each coated on a temporary flexible casting sheet (42) and dried. A high gloss surface is transferred to the clear coat (45) from the casting sheet (42). The paint coat (44) is then transferred from the casting sheet (42) to a thin, semi-flexible thermoformable plastic backing sheet (72) by dry paint transfer-laminating techniques. The resulting laminate (70) is thermoformed into a complex three-dimensional shape of the car body member or panel. The preformed laminate (116) is then bonded to an underlying plastic substrate material, by injection-cladding techniques, for example, to form the finished article.

Abstract: A method of forming multi-walled plastic containers in a single blow mold. In general, the method comprises disposing at least two separate parisons simultaneously into a blow mold and forming them to shape one after another by means of a special blow mandrel or pin. A substantially hollow, cylindrical first parison may be disposed around or outside of a substantially balloon or tube shaped second parison in an initially open blow mold. After closing the blow mold, the first or outer parison is expanded outwardly so that its outer surface engages the inner surface of the blow mold to assume the shape thereof, and thereafter, the second or inner parison is blown or outwardly expanded to an extent such that its outer surface at least partially engages the inner surface of the first or outer parison. The outer and inner parisons may be formed of different materials which may desirably impart different properties such as mechanical stability and resistance to permeation of fuel vapor from the container.

Abstract: An angioplasty balloon and method of manufacture are provided. The balloon has a working length and a taper each having a substantially equivalent thickness. This allows the balloon to be steered easily through vasculature to the site of a stenosis prior to inflation during an angioplasty procedure. The taper thickness in particular is achieved through use of a specially designed multi-tubular slug which is molded to form the angioplasty balloon of the present invention.

Abstract: There is described a method and a liner for in situ renovation of a sewer manhole, e.g., a transition well, where inside the well there is inserted a prefabricated liner in the shape of a glass fiber reinforced stocking of thermosetting polyester or epoxy formed by winding, weaving or braiding externally of a unilaterally suspended mold with a diameter allowing the mold to be lowered through a manhole curb or cone, the rubber coating consisting of a detachable rubber bag that is fastened to a flange to be displaced externally on the mold, the polyester or epoxy liner being wound, woven or braided in such a way that the length/diameter ratio of the liner may subsequently be changed by changing the length/diameter ratio of the liner as the polyester or epoxy impregnated glass fibers are connected with the flange by the winding, weaving or braiding.

Abstract: A method of installing a formed-in-situ repair in a pipe 40 comprising locating a sleeve of reinforcement material impregnated with a settable resin within a tube 36 of soft, impervious sheet material; everting the tube into said pipe such that the sleeve is carried into a desired zone and brought into intimate contact with its inner surface; guiding the point of eversion 43 of said tube through directional changes in the pipe with guiding means 21; maintaining the inflation of the everted tube while passing a heated fluid medium through its interior to accelerate curing of the settable resin; and, when the settable resin is cured, de-everting the tube with withdrawal means 19 and withdrawing it from the pipe, leaving the sleeve of reinforcement material in place within it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a textile covered part in a plastic molding machine. A textile segment such as a piece of carpet is sprayed with a water mist prior to being loaded into the plastic molding machine. In a blow molding operation, a blow molding parison is loaded into the mold and expanded with compressed air to form the textile covered part. The machine includes a blow molding machine and a spray applicator that sprays water onto the textile segment prior to being loaded into the blow molding machine.

Abstract: A handled container includes: a container body formed by blow molding in a blow mold and having an inwardly depressed portion in a bottom portion; a carrying handle formed integrally with the container body by blow molding at a position corresponding to the depressed portion in the blow mold; and an insertion space formed between the handle and the bottom of the container body for inserting two or more fingers. The container body has a ground-contact portion which has a continuous shape and is formed in an outer periphery of the bottom portion; the depressed portion is formed by depressing the bottom portion of the container body inwardly from the ground-contact portion; and the handle is formed to be positioned inwardly from the ground-contact portion within the depressed portion of the container body.

Abstract: A device comprises a male mold, a male prepress board slidably fastened with the male mold, a female mold, and a female prepress board slidably fastened with the female mold. The device is used to make an air sac in such a way that a cylindrical polyurethane body is first flattened out by the prepress boards, and that a closed air sac body is formed in the slide holes of the prepress boards, and further that the air sac is finally formed in the mold cavities of the male mold and the female mold.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing balloon catheters, and the catheters manufactured thereby. In accordance with the method, a workpiece comprising a tube-within-a-tube is placed within a mold, and a first region of the outer tube is distended into contact with the mold to form a seamless balloon of a desired configuration. The distension of the first region of the outer tube may be facilitated by electron beam irradiation, heating and/or longitudinal drawing of the workpiece concurrently with the introduction of a pressurized fluid into the space between the inner surface of the outer tube and the outer surface of the inner tube so as to exert the required outwardly distending pressure against the first region of the outer tube.

Abstract: A method for making a composite lined tube is disclosed, wherein the tube has end couplings on it. The method includes pressing a resin impregnated fiber preform progressively along an inner wall of the tube. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting an inflatable bladder into the tube. The bladder is adapted to inflate along a length thereof on application of increasing pressure to the interior of the bladder. The bladder has disposed on its exterior surface the fiber preform impregnated with resin which is adapted to fit within the tube. One end of the preform is secured to one end of the tube. The bladder is then inflated along its length by applying increasing pressure to the bladder. The preform is clamped to a shoulder of one of the couplings at another end of the tube, and the end of the preform is trimmed to conform to the shoulder. Pressure is maintained in the bladder while curing the resin. In one particular embodiment, the bladder is inflated from its center outwardly to its ends.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for making a reinforced fibrous absorbent member, fibrous material is collected on a forming surface to at least partially form the absorbent member. Fibrous material is entangled with a reinforcing web which is overlaid on at least a portion of the partially formed absorbent member. Additional fibrous material is collected on the forming surface to further form the absorbent member whereby at least a portion of the fibrous material forming the absorbent member becomes entangled with at least one of the reinforcing web and the fibrous material entangled with the reinforcing web to secure the reinforcing web within the absorbent member.

Abstract: An automotive quality paint coat (44) is laminated to the exterior surface of a molded plastic car body member or panel (118). In one embodiment, the paint coat (44) includes an exterior clear coat (45) above a color coat (46). During processing, the clear coat (45) and color coat (46) are each coated on a temporary flexible casting sheet (42) and dried. A high gloss surface is transferred to the clear coat (45) from the casting sheet (42). The paint coat (44) is then transferred from the casting sheet (42) to a thin, semi-flexible thermoformable plastic backing sheet (72) by dry paint transfer-laminating techniques. The resulting laminate (70) is thermoformed into a complex three-dimensional shape of the car body member or panel. The preformed laminate (116) is then bonded to an underlying plastic substrate material, by injection-clading techniques, for example, to form the finished article.

Abstract: A liner for a branch pipe of an old repaired pipe lined with a polyethylene liner, the liner comprising: a branch pipe portion made of a tubular body, the branch pipe portion being insertable into an existing branch pipe branching from the old repaired pipe; a welding plate provided at a first end of the branch pipe portion, the welding plate having a top surface to be welded to an inner surface of the polyethylene liner and being formed to have a curvature corresponding the an inner surface of the old repaired pipe; at least one O-ring attached tightly to an outer circumferential surface of a second end of the branch pipe portion; an expandable pressing ring for pressing against an inner surface portion of the second end of the branch pipe portion adjacent to the O-ring to force the O-ring to form a watertight seal against the existing branch pipe; an expanding key for holding the pressing ring in an expanded position to maintain the pressure of the pressing ring against the second end of the branch pipe por

Abstract: Method and apparatus for in-mold handle attachment, wherein a portion of a blow-molded container is formed about a retaining member on a handle during blow molding. After forming the container portion about the retaining member, a cooling medium is directed at the location of the container portion in order to accelerate the cooling rate at the container portion. There is achieved at least one of an improvement in the security of the attachment of the handle to the container, and a reduction in the blow-mold processing time.

Abstract: A process of fabricating a composite vessel includes the steps of: A) fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; B) overlaying a layer comprising fiber and a thermoplastic material (preferably by winding commingled filaments, rovings or yarns) onto the thermoplastic liner to obtain a composite intermediate structure (the fiber and thermoplastic material can be heated if desired during the overlaying, e.g. winding, step); C) heating the composite intermediate structure in a mold while applying at least one force thereto tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold; D) continuing step C) until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer consolidate to form a composite vessel; E) cooling the mold and composite vessel until the composite vessel is solidified; and F) removing the formed composite vessel from the mold.

Abstract: A method of constructing large, unitary, fiber-reinforced Polymer composite containers using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. The method allows for the construction of container systems with only two separately molded parts—an open box consisting of a base (i.e., floor), 2 sidewalls and 2 endwalls, and a cover (i.e., roof). The method results in a structure which maintains the continuity of the reinforcement fibers across the junction between the floor, side, and end walls corners. This method can be applied to very large composite structures such as railcar bodies, intermodal containers, and shelters.

Abstract: A blow molding part with a decorative coating is produced in a three-stage process. The blow molding part is initially produced without a coating in a blow mold tool cavity, and is then molded against the decorative coating material in a second blow-molding operation under low pressure and at a low temperature in a decorative coating cavity. The decorative coating material is heated up if appropriate and is placed in advance against a mold contour. The blow mold tool includes a middle part, which is provided between two movable side parts and can be moved or pivoted out. Mold contours of the middle part form with the mold contours of the side parts the blow mold tool cavity and the decorative coating cavity. The blow mold tool cavity has holding devices for the blow molding part. The decorative coating cavity has suction openings and heating elements for molding the decorative coating material and heating it up.

Abstract: A reserve tank for engine coolant formed by a blow molding method in which an external surface of the reserve tank is colored simultaneously with blow molding process and thus painting is unnecessary, and a straddle-type all terrain vehicle equipped with the reserve tank. The method comprises the steps of placing a thermoplastic tube, called a “parison”, between halves of an open mold, closing the mold halves, blowing the parison to expand the parison to the cavities of the mold halves, and cooling the parison to set the material, thereby forming the reserve tank. The method further comprises the steps of placing a thermoplastic film with a color which is different from that of the parison so that it covers at least one of the cavities before closing the molds, and expanding the thermoplastic film to the cavities along with the parison so that the film sticks thereto.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article includes the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the pressure on the material and temperature of the material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the pressure and temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rear shelf trim and speaker grill panel (12) for an automotive vehicle (10) includes steps of punching a substrate layer (16) of a polypropylene and flax material with a punch set (46) to form a grill section (60). The substrate is folded in half and placing a decorative carpet layer (18) is placed over the folded substrate layers (16). The two layers are blow molded together into a combined speaker grill and rear shelf trim panel (12).

Abstract: A method of making a blown vessel provided with a passage suitable for putting the inside of the vessel into communication with the outside thereof and including a mouth on the outside, said method comprising the following steps: overmolding an insert of tubular shape in a parison while it is being blown so that the parison covers one of the ends of the insert, while leaving the opposite end of the insert projecting outside the vessel so as to constitute the outside mouth of the passage, the vessel made from the parison having at least a first layer forming a hydrocarbon barrier and a second layer that is more permeable to hydrocarbons than the first and that is outside it; and then eliminating at least a portion of the wall lying inside the insert, the insert being shaped to lengthen the diffusion path for hydrocarbons diffusing along the second layer from the edge of the vessel adjacent to the removed wall portion towards the outside of the vessel, and/or to form one or more regions of reduced thickness i

Abstract: A method of producing components with surface decoration, by which even difficult surface geometries can be produced with a satisfactory visible surface, includes prefabricating a sheet-like molding with a desired surface contour in a prior step. The prefabrication is carried out in a contour-defining preforming mold or in a contour-defining production mold. The prefabrication of the sheet-like molding may be carried out, for example, by spraying a material onto a surface of the separate contour-defining mold or of the production mold. The surface decoration may be coated on a rear side with a compact or expanded material and subsequently preformed.

Abstract: A method for the blow molded production of double-walled components coated with a decorative material includes pressing an extruded plastic tube together with a decorative material into a component and simultaneously creating a pinched region on the component at the die separation region, placing the pinched region at a distance from the component side edge by displacing the die separation region, preferably with a slide, and, after the component is removed from the die, connecting a decorative material to the component around the side edge. Also provided is a blow molding die for performing the method. The die includes first and second die halves defining a die separation region therebetween, a slide disposed at the die separation region, movable in longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to the die separation region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic containers or mouldings which have been produced by blow moulding and have improved antistatic properties. The containers or mouldings have an outer wall and an inner wall and contain webs of electrically conducting material running along the inner wall. The invention also relates to a process for the production of the containers or mouldings and to their use.

Abstract: A mold for producing a hollow thermoplastic resin molded article includes a set of female and male mold members and a gas passage provided in at least one of the mold members which opens directly onto a surface of the mold member. Alternatively, a gas introducing member for introducing gas into a cavity may be provided in communication with the gas passage such that the tip of the gas introducing member does not protrude into the cavity of the mold. A lagging material, such as an insulating material or a local heater is preferably provided in the area of the mold adjacent the gas passage or gas introducing member. A method of producing a thermoplastic resin molded article using a mold of this nature is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin impregnated article comprises the steps of providing a mold onto which a reinforcing material is placed, sealing the reinforcing material with an impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the reinforcing material and resin by placing a fluid in contact with the impervious sheet and regulating the temperature of the fluid.

Abstract: On the-inside of heated molds hollow bodies are formed by vulcanization, the bodies are formed of elements from natural or synthetic rubber and/or treated elastomers, possibly associated with different materials such as leather, skin, cotton, metals, expanded rubbers and others, combined with each other. A pressurized fluid, such as hot or cold air, vapor or compatible gas, is injected between the hollow bodies being formed. During vulcanization, the components, airtight-coupled with each other along at least a contact and sealing common line, are pushed and kept in forming adhesion against the mold surfaces by the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: A method for fabricating synthetic-material molded parts through extrusion blow molding, produces sharp-edged, strong contours and/or undercuts in the region of break-throughs. A synthetic-material tube introduced into the blow-molding die is initially widened by pneumatic pressure, shaped and held on smooth or slightly contoured surfaces of the blow-molding die. However, strong, sharp-edged contours are shaped by mechanical pressure exercised on an outer surface of the synthetic-material tube by a shaping tool. A device for carrying out the process has a blow-molding die with a wall in which shaping slides are guided in one or more parts that can be guided in the interior of the blow-molding die and have sliding parts which can be driven independently of each other or in synchronism.

Abstract: A process, and the product thereof, for making a composite vessel having at least one closed end, the process including the steps of: fabricating a thermoplastic liner for the vessel; overlaying onto the liner a layer of commingled fiber and thermoplastic material to obtain a composite intermediate structure; pressing and heating the composite intermediate structure to effect at least partial consolidation in apparatus which includes upper and lower silicon rubber bags, the bags having dimensions such that, during operation, their facing peripheral regions abut to encompass the composite intermediate structure; then placing the composite intermediate structure in a mold; heating the composite intermediate structure in the mold while applying a force, such as internal gas pressure, tending to urge the composite intermediate structure against and into the shape of the interior walls of the mold until the thermoplastic liner and the overlaid layer fully consolidate; cooling the mold and composite vessel until th

Abstract: A new process for making a labeled container using a stretch blow molding process wherein a label sleeve is positioned over at least a portion of the exterior surface of a preform to produce a sleeved preform and the sleeved preform is stretch blow molded to produce a labeled container having a snug-fit label.

Abstract: A method for the fabrication of synthetic-material component assemblies includes blow-molding synthetic-material components having a foam-backed decorative layer on part of their surface. Decorative material is initially pressed against a foam layer having one surface which has been heated and melted. During blow-molding of the component from an extruded synthetic-material tube, a composite decorative element produced in this way is pressed against an outer surface of the component and joined by fusion welding. The composite decorative element can either be performed in accordance with the contours of the component or have a flat structure, in which case it can be shaped, possibly with additional heating, together with the component during blow-molding.

Abstract: A boot comprising an upper portion, an outersole portion, an optional midsole/wedge portion and a shell portion, wherein the shell portion is produced by the blow molding process. The shell portion may contain a midsole/wedge element inside or outside of its volumetric shape and it may also contain a pre-molded outersole which is replaced into the blow mold. The shell portion can be produced with thickness as little as 0.25 mm and weight as low as 25 grams. The shell portion may be constructed of any material that is extrudable. The shell portion is produced with mold cavities, but no mold core. The shell portion may be flocked internally with textile fibers. A pair of shell portions can be simultaneously produced from a single extrusion of material.

Abstract: A process for producing multi-layer game ball products includes the steps of extruding an inner layer precursor as a parison in a partial melt state, forming an outer layer, introducing the inner and outer layers into a mold and expanding the parison within the mold to form the multi-layer game ball product. The outer layer may take the form of pre-cut panels vacuum supported in the mold and an intermediate layer may be provided for dimensional stability in the product. Subsequent to expanding the parison a filler such as foam may be injected into the center space for forming a core.

Abstract: A decorative sheet formed by coating a surface of an acrylic resin sheet having a coefficient of kinetic friction with respect to a flat glass plate in the range of 0.2 to 0.9 and a glass transition temperature of 80° C. or below with a pattern layer is inserted in a female mold and a male mold of an injection mold, the decorative sheet is clamped to the female mold, the female and the male mold are joined together to form a cavity in the injection mold, a fluid resin is injected into the cavity so as to fill up the cavity, the resin filling up the cavity is solidified in a sheet-decorated molding having a surface coated with the decorative sheet, the injection mold is opened and the sheet-decorated molding is ejected from the female mold.

Abstract: A method of compression moulding an article from rubber moulding material incorporating hollow inserts avoids damage to the inserts. Where compression moulding takes place in an enclosed mould at an elevated pressure, the pressure can distort and damage the hollow inserts especially if they are of plastics. In order to avoid such distortion and damage, the method compresses during moulding creating a pressure in a cavity of the insert which substantially balances the pressure exerted on the exterior of the insert by the rubber moulding material in the mould. The pressure in the cavity is preferably produced by introducing some rubber moulding material into the cavity of the insert. This material becomes pressurised during moulding and supports the interior of the insert.

Abstract: In a method of lining a pipe (3) a lining pipe (1) of thermoplastics material is inserted into the pipe (3) to be lined. The lining pipe (1) is of smaller diameter than the pipe (3) to be lined, and the thermoplastics material incorporates a cross-linking agent. The lining pipe (1) is then caused to expand into contact with the pipe (3) to be lined, and the thermoplastics material is cross-linked.

Abstract: Manufacturing process for the blowing technique of a plastic container and, more specifically, of a small bottle (6) designed for use in cosmetics.

Abstract: Article made of thermoplastic material, which article is rigid and at least partly heat insulating. The article includes a laminate in at least parts of the article. The laminate includes a first and a second layer of solid thermoplastic material (A) and an intermediate layer of expanded thermoplastic material (B) with an average density of 50-800 kg/m3. The thermoplastic materials (A) and (B) are the same or compatible materials. The article is manufactured according to a process comprising the steps a) forming of a solid outer layer, b) manufacturing of an intermediate expanded layer and c) the appendage of functional parts such as reinforcing profiles, guiding profiles, stacking profiles, hinge parts, pockets, label holders, profiles or holes for automatic handling, locking devices or the like.

Abstract: Method of securing a separate handle (18) to a plastic blow-molded container, the container having a molded external flange which is not subject to stretching during the blow-molding process. The flange has a substantially flat underside face and serves as a rigid support for the handle (18) when a substantially flat upper abutment surface of the handle (18) is positioned against the flange. Preferably, the upper end of the handle (18) has a downwardly extending lug (15) which is surrounded by the blow-molded sidewall of the container. The preform and handle (18) can be brought together into position where the upper end of the handle is adjacent to the underside of the external flange by relative movement of the preform and handle (18) towards each other along a first path which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preform.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminated packaging material comprising a core layer of paper or paperboard and a gas barrier layer of a polyarmide blend including a condensation polymer of metaxylene diamine and adipic acid (Nylon-MXD6) and a second crystalline or semicrystalline polyamide, applied on one side of the core layer by means of co-extrusion coating. The invention also relates to a method of producing the laminated packaging material and to a packaging container which is produced from the laminated packaging material.

Abstract: A method for forming a three dimensional polymeric structure includes providing at least one paint layer and providing a bonding layer coupled to the at least one paint layer to form an insert having a bonding surface provided by the bonding layer. A mold having a hollow interior bounded by an interior surface is further provided. The insert is positioned within the interior along a portion of the interior surface. At least one charge of thermoplastic material is deposited into the interior. The interior is heated while the mold is rotated and rocked. As a result, the thermoplastic material melts and is deposited against the interior surface of the mold and against the bonding surface of the insert to form a three dimensional structure within the interior. The three dimensional structure is then removed from the interior of the mold.

Abstract: A blow molded article comprising an inwardly projecting rib and a mold loose piece, the inwardly projecting rib comprising a wall portion formed around an inwardly projecting mold loose piece. In method form, the present invention relates to a blow molded article having at least one inwardly projecting rib, the method comprising the steps of providing a mold having a cavity defined therein by a cavity wall, providing a mold loose piece disposed on the cavity wall, introducing a parison into the cavity, and introducing the mold loose piece into the parison.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforced thermoform or blow-molded article, and the process for preparing the same, where the reinforcement is provided by a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that contains a thermoplastic resin, such as a rigid thermoplastic polyurethane, and a plurality of continuous reinforcing fibers impregnated with the resin. The reinforced thermoform blow-molded article is useful in a variety of products such as boat hulls, table tops, automotive and non-automotive seat structures, small vehicle structures such as golf carts and golf cart roofs, pallets, containers, and skis.

Abstract: A method of repairing leaking underground pipes, particularly gravity-flow sewer pipes, without excavation, by using a flexible liner tube containing a fluid under sufficient pressure to exclude groundwater, while forcing a fluid sealant material into leaking defects in a pipe wall, and through openings in the pipe wall into voids outside the pipe. The flexible liner tube is everted into the pipe to keep the sealant material in place and also to continue to exclude groundwater for a period of time long enough for the sealant material to cure in place to effect sealing repair of the defects in the pipe wall and also at least partially fill voids outside the pipe. Fluid is kept under great enough pressure in the liner tube to exclude groundwater and may be heated or chilled to assist in preparing the pipe for sealant or to cure the sealant material.

Abstract: An improved shaft for a golf club and methods of manufacturing the same. One or more layers of a loaded film are used to define in part the overall weight, swing weight, and/or balance point of a golf club shaft, without significantly affecting the flexibility and/or torsional characteristics of the shaft. A set of plies of pre-preg composite fiber sheet and loaded film may be wrapped in a predetermined manner around a mandrel, placed in a mold, and heated for a predetermined period of time to form a shaft for a golf club.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object. The process comprises the steps of (1) operating a multiple-channel material deposition sub-system for dispensing droplets of selected liquid compositions and solid powders at predetermined proportions; (2) providing an object platform in close working vicinity to the deposition sub-system to receive the deposition materials therefrom; and (3) during the material deposition process, moving the deposition sub-system and the platform relative to each other in an X-Y plane defined by first and second directions and in a Z direction orthogonal to the X-Y plane so that the materials are deposited to form a first layer of the object. These steps are repeated to deposit multiple layers for forming a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A solid freeform fabrication process and apparatus for making a three-dimensional object.

Abstract: In a method of producing a fuel tank from plastic, a heating element is located between two shell parts to be welded to one another. When the shell parts are pressed together, the heating element melts into the plastic and produces a weld that provides a fuel-resistant seal. The fuel tank subsequently has a particularly exact shape.

Abstract: A method of integrally forming a bicycle front fork formed from a compound material including the steps of preparing a mold of a length greater than the front fork; forming a curved groove at a rear end of the mold; winding a blank of a front fork shape from a compound material and placing the blank into the mold; inserting an inflatable tube into the blank from a vertical tube at an upper end thereof through a forced portion on one side and round the curved groove and then through a formed portion on the other side to have the end in the vertical tube; and forming a front fork from the blank by inflation, heating and applying pressure.