Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the rapid, uniform curing of cylindrical, polymeric objects. The invention provides precise, accurate control of both the curing temperature and pressure because the heating system is independent of the pressurization device. Cylindrical polymeric objects are cured by mounting the object on a cylindrical mandrel, applying substantially uniform pressure to the outer surface of the object, typically through an expandable bladder, and supplying curing is heat directly to the object by circulating a liquid heat transfer medium through the bladder or mandrel. Preferably, the expandable elastomeric bladder is mounted coaxially with the mandrel, and is expanded with a suitable liquid or gas to provide the pressure.

Abstract: Calibrators (10-16) are pre-aligned on a base (18) that is positioned on a table (60). A guide (82) includes a first section (84a, 84b) connected to base (18) and a second section (94) connected to table (60). First section (84a, 84b) cooperates with second section (94) to laterally maintain base (18) on table (60) while allowing thermal expansion of base (18) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (22).

Abstract: A press-forming apparatus is disclosed in which a preform such as green sheets, for example, is charged into a cavity in a pressure container, the cavity is covered with a lid member, and the green sheets are pressed by a pressure medium while the green sheets are heated by heating means, whereby the green sheets are press-formed into an integral laminated product. The pressure force should preferably be fluctuated during the pressing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming composite articles which include the stretchable or pre-shaped membrane adapted to be placed on a mold in a ridged framework carrying an outer seal. An inner seal is attached to the membrane and located between the membrane and the inner side of the rigid framework defining a vacuum cavity. The membrane is attached to the seal at the lower most point thereof. The seals are substantially square in section and have cut-out sections to enhance resilience. The seals have a outwardly directed downwardly extended curtain portion to form a initial loose seal with a mold base.

Abstract: A fiber mat as well as its method of fabrication and forming machine are described. The fiber mat comprises a plurality of fibers which are limitations bound together and distributed throughout the mat, and wherein some of the fibers are inclined towards a central horizontal plane of the mat. The inclined fibers on opposed sides of the mat have opposed angles of inclination whereby the mat, when used as insulation, can be easily separated substantially along the central horizontal plane by applying a pulling force on one side or opposed sides of the mat in the direction of the inclined fibers. The forming machine is characterized by having two forming surfaces, one disposed horizontally and the other vertically whereby the mat is formed with higher density towards the opposed flat horizontal surfaces of the mat and the lower density is distributed along the central horizontal plane.

Abstract: A process of molding a racket frame having an evacuation stage for shrinking a lamination of an inner bladder, a tubular prepreg and an outer protective tube before closing a mold, and the reinforcing fibers of the prepreg are not cut by inner edges of the mold, thereby preventing the racket frame from burr due to the reinforcing fibers cut by the inner edges.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming a preform from glass fiber strand material. The preform is formed by feeding continuous glass fiber strand material into a mold to form a continuous wool product in the mold; feeding a binder into the mold; compressing the mold to compact the wool product to a desired density; and heating the mold to cure the binder, such that a preform is formed having generally the shape of the compressed mold. The mold is then opened and the preform is removed from the mold.

Abstract: A styrenic resin is prepared by a method which comprises extruding a styrenic polymer powder having a syndiotactic configuration at a molding temperature of from the melting point of the polymer to 400.degree. C. at an extrusion rate meeting the equation Q/(D.times.H.times.V)=2.0.times.10.sup.4 to 6.0.times.10.sup.5, by the use of an extruder provided with one or more vents having an internal pressure of 0 to 760 Torr, wherein Q is an extrusion rate (kg/hr), D is a screw diameter (m), H is a screw groove depth (m), and V is a screw peripheral speed (m/sec); a residual volatile component, such as a monomer in the styrenic polymer powder having the syndiotactic configuration, can economically and efficiently be decreased at the time of extrusion, whereby a molding material having a good shape and containing a reduced amount of the residual volatile component can efficiently be prepared to prevent the emission of an objectionable odor at the time of the extrusion or molding.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a costume having semi-rigid costume components, and the costume itself. The semi-rigid costume components are capable of being sewn to fabric to form an integrated costume. An embodiment is shown in which the costume includes a semi-rigid muscular torso suitable for a superhero chestpiece. The sewn rigid component is formed from fusing a layer of fabric to a layer of foam and the resulting laminate is vacuum molded into a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: A densified carbon matrix carbon fiber composite preform is made by vacuum molding an aqueous slurry of carbon fibers and carbonizable organic powder to form a molded part. The molded part is dried in an oven at 50.degree. C. for 14 hours and hot pressed at 2000 psi at 400.degree. C. for 3 hours. The hot pressed part is carbonized at 650.degree. C. under nitrogen for 3 hours and graphitized at 2400.degree. C. to form a graphitic structure in the matrix of the densified carbon matrix carbon fiber composite preform. The densified preform has a density greater than 1.1 g/cc.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a composite article comprising an autoclave having a platen, a work tool located in the autoclave and supported by the platen, and a composite article on the work tool. The platen is heated to transfer heat from the platen to the work tool and from the work tool to the composite article to cure that article; and a heat conductive, flexible mat is positioned between the platen and the work tool to maintain a desired thermal conductivity between the platen and the work tool as the work tool is heated.

Abstract: The perforated sheet, in particular for sanitary articles, and made of a substance that is impervious to liquid, includes a multiplicity of craters each having a base in the plane of the outside face, an apex, and a sidewall that slopes between the base and the apex. The peripheral shape of the base includes at least one zone of discontinuity such that on going round the periphery of each crater, its sidewall presents non-uniform inclination with angles of inclination relative to the perpendicular to the plane of the outside face of the sheet that vary between positive values and negative values, said angle being negative at least in the zone of discontinuity. The peripheral shape of the base is preferably the result of partially overlapping a plurality of curved geometrical shapes, in particular circles and ellipses, and the zone of discontinuity corresponds to the junction between superposed shapes.

Abstract: During operation of a molding apparatus that combines a cavity part having a plurality of cavity sections and a core part having a plurality of cores to define a plurality of mold cavities therebetween, when the cavity part and the core part are first separated from one another following formation of products in the mold cavities, force is applied to the products in order to retain the products in the cavity part. While the cavity part and the core part are being further separated from one another the products are moved from the cavity part to the core part; and the products are ejected from the core part when the cavity part and the core part are still further separated from one another. Alternatively, the products are ejected from the cavity part.

Abstract: An apparatus for curing composite materials that emit large volumes of volatiles during processing. The apparatus includes tooling having a rigid forming surface contoured to the shape of the formed composite part. A plurality of passages extend from the forming surface through the tooling. The passages are in fluid contact with an exhaust port. A composite workpiece is laid up and placed adjacent the forming surface. The apparatus includes a heater that heats the composite workpiece to temperatures at which volatiles are emitted. An evacuation system draws the volatiles away from the composite workpiece through the passages in the tooling and out of the exhaust port. One embodiment of tooling according to the invention is used to form a sine wave spar. The tooling includes upper and lower tool inserts upon which U-shaped composite channels are formed. The upper and lower tools are placed adjacent to each other to form the web of the spar. Cap strips are placed on either side of the joined U-shaped channels.

Abstract: An vacuum bag for forming of a fiber reinforced composite article, made of a curable elastomer, having molded in resin distribution means. Optional vacuum conduits are molded into the periphery of the bag, causing the bag to be adapted to any number of mold shapes. The bag contains a resin distribution conduit sealed into the vacuum bag. A multiplicity of cross channels are formed on the inner surface of the bag, covering most of the area under which the fiber lay up is placed within the mold. These cross channels can be formed from a pattern of multiple, variegated small dots or pentagons, which, under vacuum, leave a multiplicity of small crisscross channels running along the inner surface of the vacuum bag. This pattern of distribution channels covers most of the fiber lay up, except for a perimeter area which insures resin flow into rather than across the fiber lay up.

Abstract: A unitary vacuum bag for forming of a fiber reinforced composite article, made of a fabric mesh reinforced curable elastomer, having a smooth surface on both sides. The bag is constructed upon the surface of the article which is to be reproduced and upon a planar flange extension of the mold for said article. A rigid vacuum chamber assembly consisting of a planar fiber reinforced composite or equivalent sheet is sealed on the outer periphery to the mold flange extension and on the inner periphery to the top surface of the bag by rubber seals which are attached to the vacuum chamber assembly under surface. A vacuum port through the vacuum chamber assembly between the rubber seals allows vacuum to be applied to the chamber causing it to be pressed by atmospheric pressure to the mold flange extension and bag periphery thus sealing the bag to the mold periphery and simultaneously providing a continuous vacuum source around the entire periphery of the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a resin transfer molding apparatus including a female mold member having a rigid surface including a main surface portion, and a recessed surface portion extending inwardly from and bordered by the main portion to define a recessed area, and a male mold member including a structure which is adapted to be drawn into close association with the rigid surface of the female mold member in response to the application of vacuum therebetween and which includes a member which is at least partially flexible and which includes an inner surface located, during the application of vacuum, in relatively adjacent opposing relation to the main surface portion of the female mold member and in relatively spaced relation to the recessed surface portion, and a segment which is relatively rigid, which has a shape conforming to the recessed area, which is fixedly bonded to the inside surface of the member, and which is located, during the application of vacuum, in relatively adjacent opposing relation to the rec

Abstract: A process for molding dimensionally accurate plastic articles using a low pressure injection molding technique. The process utilizes a two-piece silicone rubber mold having a cavity representative of the shape of the article to be molded. The mold is substantially encased on all sides in a rigid mold box to prevent deformation of the cavity during the molding process (10). The mold box and the encased mold are placed in a vacuum chamber, and a vacuum is drawn on the chamber to evacuate the cavity (20). A predetermined amount of a reactive mixture is simultaneously mixed and injected under pressure into the mold to form the plastic article (30). The amount of material injected is sufficient to fill the cavity but not sufficient to distort the cavity. The chamber is vented (40) and the mold is removed from the mold box (50). The mold is flexed in order to remove the plastic article from the mold (60).

Abstract: A lens mold cavity is formed and then evacuated via a vacuum channel contained within a mold member. A fluid valve is opened to expose the lens mold cavity to liquid lens material, whereby a vacuum of the lens mold cavity draws the liquid lens material to fill the lens mold cavity. The fluid valve is then closed and the liquid lens material within the lens mold cavity is cured to obtain an opthalmic lens such as a contact lens.

Abstract: A method of making an article from a fiber reinforced polymer composite material including the steps of providing at least two mandrels, wrapping at least one of the mandrels with a first layer of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material, disposing the at least two mandrels in a predetermined orientation, wrapping a second layer of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material around the mandrels, and curing the wrapped assembly.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device is fabricated by casting a transparent polymeric body surrounding an electronic component. A reflective layer is formed over the polymeric body. The reflective layer acts as a mirror to reflect light emitted by one electronic component to another electronic component which receives the light. By casting the polymeric body, a consistent and defined shape for optical transmission is provided for forming the shape of the reflective layer.

Abstract: An vacuum bag for forming of a fiber reinforced composite article, made of a curable elastomer, having molded in resin distribution means. Optional vacuum conduits are molded into the periphery of the bag, causing the bag to be adapted to any number of mold shapes. The bag contains a resin distribution conduit sealed into the vacuum bag. A multiplicity of cross channels are formed on the inner surface of the bag, covering most of the area under which the fiber lay up is placed within the mold. These cross channels can be formed from a pattern of multiple, variegated small dots or pentagons, which, under vacuum, leave a multiplicity of small crisscross channels running along the inner surface of the vacuum bag. This pattern of distribution channels covers most of the fiber lay up, except for a perimeter area which insures resin flow into rather than across the fiber lay up.

Abstract: A green body of a vessel-shaped piece of sanitary ware made by slip casting, such as a washbasin, is demolded by a robot having an arm provided at its free end with a suction pad which is brought into contact with the outer surface of the bottom of the green body to hold it by suction. The green body is, then, rotated or otherwise moved for finishing by a stationary device, while it is held by the robot. The robot enables the automatic demolding and finishing of the green body.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for forming fiber reinforced resin structures In detail, invention includes a fluid impervious outer first sheet. A mold surface is includes upon which can be supported a lay-up of at least one layer of fibrous material, and over which can be placed the first fluid impervious outer sheet and its edges marginally sealed upon the mold surface to form a chamber. A first vacuum port for drawing a vacuum upon the chamber is located in proximity to the lay-up. A first distribution medium is positioned between the fabric lay-up and the fluid impervious outer sheet for distributing resin into the lay-up. A second fluid impervious sheet is located between the first distribution medium and the first impervious sheet. A resin inlet port extends from the exterior of the chamber through the first and second impervious sheets an is in communication with the first distribution medium.

Abstract: A porous mold for manufacturing ceramics comprises a porous mold body including a mold central portion and a mold outer peripheral portion and having mold surface of a shape corresponding to an outer shape of a suspension insulator and other similar ceramics to be manufactured having a small diameter hollow cylindrical central core portion with a closed head portion and a large diameter shed portion extended from the core portion in a radial direction, wherein water absorption percentage of a mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral portion is larger than that of the mold central portion. The water absorption percentage of the mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral is 20-30%, and that of a mold head portion of the mold central portion is 10-20%. A difference of the water absorption percentage between the mold surface side portion of the mold outer peripheral portion and the mold head portion is 5-20%.

Abstract: A process for potting hollow fibers within a body is disclosed wherein a bundle of hollow fibers is formed within a hollowed portion of the body such that the fibers are substantially aligned and uniformly spaced. A molten thermoplastic composition is dispensed into the body at a contact temperature below the melting point of the hollow fibers. The bundle and the body are both at a temperature which is sufficiently low enough to cause solidification of the molten composition substantially upon contact with the bundle. A pressure differential is applied to the body to assist the flow of the thermoplastic composition around each of the hollow fiber elements such that the bundle and the interior of the hollowed portion of the body are encapsulated by the thermoplastic composition thereby assuring reliable sealing between the hollow fiber elements and the interior of the hollowed portion of the body.

Abstract: Improved meltspinning productivity is achieved by employing polyolefin resins having key molecular weight distribution and rheological property parameters within predetermined ranges. These parameters include the molecular weight distribution breadth parameter, M.sub.z /M.sub.n ; and rheological property parameters of flow rate ratio, I.sub.10 /I.sub.2, and the power law index, n, of the regression analysis viscosity equation. These parameters additionally include one or both of the z-average molecular weight, M.sub.z, of the resin, or the second order constant, b.sub.2, of the regression analysis viscosity equation, and unless both of the latter two parameters are met, the parameters further include the die swell and the spinnability factor (determined from the relationship between die swell and MFR) of the resin.

Abstract: An improved, endless mold tunnel, clamshell-type, thermoplastic tube molding apparatus and method using exteriorly disposed, compressive roller elements and a cooperating keyway/matching lug assembly for maintaining the alignment of the independent mold blocks and mold block half sections substantially orthogonal relative to opposed half sections and relative to the contiguous upstream and downstream mold blocks in said tunnel while allowing for the introduction of cooling fluid or vacuum.

Abstract: A composite ski pole is formed of fiber reinforced plastic laminates laid up around an inflatable bladder, and placed in a female mold. The bladder inflates to compact the laminates to substantially eliminate voids and form a smooth, hollow ski pole with a structurally strong and stiff skin. The molds may use compound shapes such as differing cross sections or longitudinal bends.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a boat hull having an outer surface and including fiber-reinforced polymer and a plurality of stringers embedded in the fiber-reinforced polymer so that the fiber-reinforced polymer and the stringers define an inner surface of the boat hull, the method comprising the steps of providing a female mold with a periphery and an inner surface having the shape of the hull outer surface, placing dry reinforcement material on the mold inner surface, placing stringers on the dry reinforcement material, the stringers having additional dry reinforcement material thereon, providing a male mold with a periphery and an inner surface having the shape of the hull inner surface, placing the male mold over the stringers and the dry reinforcement material to define a space between the male mold and the female mold, sealing the peripheries of the male mold and the female mold, drawing a vacuum in the space between the male mold and the female mold, injecting resin into the space, and curing the resin.

Abstract: A decorated helmet is formed by applying a decoration to a side of a plastic sheet. The plastic sheet is heated and applied to a helmet shell with the decoration between the plastic sheet and the helmet shell. A vacuum is applied to the heated plastic sheet to stretch the plastic sheet and mold the plastic sheet directly about the helmet shell with the decorations sandwiched between the plastic sheet and the helmet shell.

Abstract: A coextruded, multilayer polymeric film having a core layer including a surfactant and at least one outer layer is placed on a forming structure. The forming structure moves in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the multilayer film and carries the multilayer film in that direction. A fluid pressure differential is applied across the thickness of the multilayer film along the direction of movement of the forming structure. The fluid pressure differential is sufficiently great to cause the multilayer film to conform with the forming structure forming a formed polymeric web. The formed polymeric web is exposed to a temperature which is sufficiently great enough to allow the surfactant in the core layer to migrate to the outer layer to form a surfactant treated formed polymeric web.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for resin transfer molding, a mold including at least two cooperating mold sections is placed in a vacuum chamber. A reinforcing material is positioned between the mold sections, which are separated from one another during evacuation of the chamber, thus maintaining the reinforcing material in a substantially uncompressed condition, to ensure that all gasses and/or liquids are evacuated from the reinforcing material and the mold prior to resin injection. After evacuation, the mold sections are brought almost into engagement to substantially define a mold cavity, and resin is injected into the mold cavity. Prior to terminating the resin injection, the mold sections are brought into engagement, and final resin injection is performed. The injected resin is then cured in accordance with the particular type of resin injected.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for cooling and if necessary calibrating elongated, especially continuously extruded objects (7) made of plastic as well as a cooling and calibrating device (5) for carrying out the process. With this the object (7) during its advancement in the longitudinal direction is exposed in consecutive regions (13 to 18; 86 to 89, 95 to 97) to a higher vacuum in each case and is cooled with respect to the initial temperature to a lower final temperature. The heat to be removed for cooling is extracted by a coolant washing round the object (7).

Abstract: Molten resin is extruded in a predetermined width from an extrusion nozzle. The molten resin is forced to a die wheel, which is situated facing the extrusion nozzle with a predetermined gap therewith, has inside a cooling unit and is adapted to be rotated in one direction. On the surface of the die wheel, a flat-plate-like substrate member and engaging members are integrally molded of the molten resin. Simultaneously, as a continuous filament is supplied, loop members are successively formed. Then the loop members are pressed against the substrate member in upright posture and are successively fused therewith.

Abstract: A prosthetic casting machine receives an amputated stump while a patient is standing so that a hard socket can be made based upon the shape of the stump when it is under load. The machine includes a brim for accommodating an above-the-knee stump or a retaining disc for below-the-knee stumps. A telescoping leg enables precise adjustment of the height of the machine to accommodate patients of differing heights. The patient's stump is inserted into a liner and the liner is coated with plaster before the stump is inserted into the machine. After insertion, while the patient is standing, compressed air is introduced into a space between a transparent flexible bladder and a transparent rigid cylinder so that a uniform pressure is applied to the plaster by the bladder. The transparent parts enable a prosthetist to observe the results of the pressurization so that corrective steps may be taken if the plaster is not evenly compressed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing eyeglasses includes the steps of: forming a lens unit; providing a mold unit which includes first and second mold halves, the first mold half having a support surface which conforms to a rear surface of the lens unit and a first frame defining surface which extends around a portion of the support surface, the second mold half having a complementary surface which conforms to a front surface of the lens unit and which defines a lens receiving space with the support surface, and a second frame defining surface which extends around a portion of the complementary surface and which defines a frame forming cavity with the first frame defining surface, the first mold half being formed with an air passage having a first open end which opens at the support surface; placing the lens unit fittingly in the lens receiving space such that a first positioning unit formed on the rear surface engages a second positioning unit formed on the support surface; activating a vacuum pump connected operably

Abstract: Apparatus and process for gauging and controlling extruded profiled elements, particularly extruded profiled elements made of synthetic material. The apparatus includes at least one control and correction gauge arrangeable downstream of an extrusion die along the extrusion direction and in which there is a passage shaped so as to match the profile of the extruded profiled element. The passage can be crossed by the extruded profiled element, and there are holes and/or channels for heating and cooling preset regions of the profiled element to correct the profile and/or the internal tensions of the profiled element.

Abstract: A method for producing polymeric tubing which is resistant to permeation by organic material contained therein which has at least one region defined by a plurality of outwardly extending annular ridges. In this method, tubular polymeric material having a first outer diameter and composed of at least three overlying polymeric layers is introduced into a mold device upon exit of the tubular polymeric material from a suitable extrusion device, the surface of the mold device having at least one region defined by an annular depression in an essentially cylindrical surface. Once the tubular material is introduced, it is expanded to a second outer diameter such that the tubular material deformably contacts the mold surface. The corrugated tubular material then exits from the die device after completion of the expansion step.

Abstract: An automatic waterproofing apparatus for automatically waterproofing a joint of electric wires, comprising: a plurality of pallet jigs each of which is formed with a recess for receiving the joint, a pair of slots for receiving the electric wires and an air vent hole communicating with the recess; a transport device for continuously transporting the pallet jigs; a sheet feeding device for feeding onto an upper face of each pallet jig a flexible band-like sheet; a slit forming device for forming at opposite sides of the sheet a pair of slits corresponding to the slots, respectively; a suction device for sucking air in the recess of each Dallet jig from the air vent hole so as to bring the sheet into close contact with the recess; a joint placing device for placing the joint in the recess and inserting into the slots through the slits the electric wires disposed at opposite sides of the joint; a filler injecting device for injecting a predetermined quantity of filler into the recess; and an adhesive tape bondin

Abstract: A method is disclosed for simultaneously molding separate portions of an article which may be subsequently assembled to form the complete separable article. Apparatus for carrying out the method includes separate mold portions which, when assembled, define a molding cavity in which each of the mold portions has an outwardly extending flange. The mold portions are fastened together such that the flanges are spaced apart a distance at least twice as great ad the thickness of the article to be molded. The mold portions extend along a longitudinal axis and each defines a molding surfaces which extends around the axis less than 360.degree.. When the mold portions are assembled, the molding surfaces extend completely around the longitudinal axis. The mold also includes silicone bead elements extending along the longitudinal axis in the space between the spaced apart flanges.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding process and system for creating composite materials. The system includes encapsulating a fibrous sheet within a tool and a cover plate that together define an inner cavity. The tool, the cover plate and the sheet are placed within the inner chamber of an autoclave. The pressure in the inner cavity is then reduced to create a vacuum within the tooling. The pressure of the inner chamber of the autoclave is also reduced so that the differential pressure across the tool is essentially zero. A resin is then introduced to the inner cavity. The inner cavity pressure may be increased by the introduction of the resin. The pressure of the autoclave inner chamber may be raised, so that there is a minimal pressure differential across the tool. After the tool is filled with resin, the inner cavity is heated by the autoclave to cure and form a composite material.

Abstract: An vacuum bag for forming of a fiber reinforced composite article, made of a curable elastomer, having molded in resin distribution means. Optional vacuum conduits are molded into the periphery of the bag, causing the bag to be adapted to any number of mold shapes. The bag contains a resin distribution conduit sealed into the vacuum bag. A multiplicity of cross channels are formed on the inner surface of the bag, covering most of the area under which the fiber lay up is placed within the mold. These cross channels can be formed from a pattern of multiple, variegated small dots or pentagons, which, under vacuum, leave a multiplicity of small crisscross channels running along the inner surface of the vacuum bag. This pattern of distribution channels covers most of the fiber lay up, except for a perimeter area which insures resin flow into rather than across the fiber lay up.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a boat hull having an outer surface and including fiber-reinforced polymer and a plurality of stringers embedded in the fiber-reinforced polymer so that the fiber-reinforced polymer and the stringers define an inner surface of the boat hull, the method comprising the steps of providing a female mold with a periphery and an inner surface having the shape of the hull outer surface, placing dry reinforcement material on the mold inner surface, placing stringers on the dry reinforcement material, the stringers having additional dry reinforcement material thereon, providing a male mold with a periphery and an inner surface having the shape of the hull inner surface, placing the male mold over the stringers and the dry reinforcement material to define a space between the male mold and the female mold, sealing the peripheries of the male mold and the female mold, drawing a vacuum in the space between the male mold and the female mold, injecting resin into the space, and curing the resin.

Abstract: The present invention has several aspects: an extrusion apparatus, a method of making a curved extrusion, and a curved extrusion made by the method. In broadest terms, the apparatus of the present invention comprises: (1) an extruding means, typically an extruder, adapted to produce an extrudate having a cross-section; (2) a plurality of guide members arranged so as to form a curvilinear path through which the extrusion is passed, each of the guide members having an aperture having substantially the same shape as the cross-section of the extrusion, whereby the plurality of guide members are adapted to form the extrusion into a curved shape while maintaining the cross-section of the extrusion; and (3) mechanical means adapted to conduct the extrusion through said plurality of guide members, such as an extrusion puller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sliding member formed of a synthetic resin composed mainly of a polyethylene, said sliding member comprising a molded piece of a polyethylene having a viscosity-average molecular weight of 500,000 to 6,000,000 inclusive, having a low coefficient of friction and excelling in both its own wear resistance and its property of preventing the abrasion of an associated member.

Abstract: After extrusion, cutting, and tilting 90.degree. alternate green bricks are rotated 180.degree. about a vertical axis to form brick pairs with the back (unfinished) sides of both bricks facing each other. These reoriented brick pairs are then gripped and stacked. Conventional grippers, such as a vacuum gripper, may be used to grip only the backs of each brick in the pair. In this way, all of the finished faces of the stacked bricks avoid damage while simultaneously being more uniformly exposed to the kiln drying and firing atmosphere and thus may achieve a more uniform appearance. No special tools are required to handle irregular or specially designed brick faces because the gripper grips only the back of each brick pair.

Abstract: A method of producing a plasma treated article in a tool having electrically isolated conductive members, wherein at least one of the members has a surface closely conforming to the surface of the article which is to be treated. The method includes the steps of placing the article between the members so as to create a relatively small bounded space between the article surface and the closely conforming member surface, drawing a vacuum in the bounded space, introducing an ionizable gas into the bounded space and applying an electric field between the members to create a plasma in the bounded space to react with the article surface.

Abstract: A process handling resin preimpregnated fabric plies that assures release of the plies from surfaces. The process includes applying pressure to a substantially dry side of a resin impregnated fabric ply with a surface, thereby facilitating release of the ply from the surface.

Abstract: A method for producing advanced composite structures includes the assembly of a number of layers of fibrous reinforcements into a desired configuration. A vacuum is applied to the reinforcement in order to evacuate any air therefrom and to consolidate the plurality of fibrous reinforcements. Resin is introduced to the reinforcement by using a flow path therethrough having entry and exit points. The vacuum is used to transmit the resin through the reinforcement between the entry and exit points. The resin flows into the reinforcement due to the pressure differential between the evacuated reinforcement and the hydrostatic pressure on the resin as well as the capillary effect on the reinforcement.