Abstract: According to the present invention, an in-line compounding and extrusion deposition compression molding apparatus and method for producing a fiber-reinforced molded structural component is provided. The apparatus comprises an extruder device having an internal cavity formed therein and an extruder screw rotatably disposed within the internal cavity for producing a polymer melt. A deposition die head is disposed at a first end of the device, the deposition die head having a die channel disposed therein for receiving the polymer melt from the device. The apparatus includes at least one fiber element for feeding at least one reinforcing fiber element into the die channel for compounding the at least one reinforcing fiber element with the polymer melt to produce a fiber-reinforced polymer compound. The apparatus additionally includes a mold for receiving the fiber-reinforced polymer compound to form the fiber-reinforced molded structural component.

Abstract: The present invention includes a process for making a magnetically readable card. The process includes providing a polymeric extrudable substrate material and one or more magnetic strips. The substrate is extruded in an extruder. The magnetic strips are aligned and coextruded with the polymeric substrate in the extruder to form a continuous length of magnetic strips and polymeric material.

Abstract: Optical core for a telecommunications cable comprising at least one support consisting of a central reinforcing member and a first coating layer of a thermoplastic polymer applied around the central member, a plurality of optical fibres arranged around the support and a second coating layer extruded around the support. The optical fibres, in each transverse section of the core, are arranged substantially tangential to the support and, around their remaining portion, are completely encapsulated in the second coating layer. The core can be built using a process wherein the fibres are guided inside appropriate grooves to give conditions of substantial tangency to the support as far as the zone of extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus for making a magnetically readable card. The apparatus includes a mechanism for providing a polymeric extrudable substrate material and one or more magnetic strips. The substrate is extruded in an extruder. The apparatus also includes a mechanism wherein the magnetic strips are aligned and coextruded with the polymeric substrate in the extruder to form a continuous length of magnetic strips and polymeric material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the manufacture of reinforced, three-zone, microporous phase inversion membrane having any one of a plurality of different possible pore sizes in any of the three zones from at least a single mother dope batch is disclosed. The systems and methods include formulating at least a single mother batch of dope in a vessel preferably maximizing the non-solvent to solvent ratio for a given weight percentage of polymer for use in a microporous phase inversion membrane production operation to produce three-zone phase inversion membranes having one of a plurality of different predetermined pore sizes in any or all of the three zones. The at least one mother dope batch is controllably formulated in at least one vessel such that the temperature of the dope does not exceed a predetermined maximum mixing temperature and is maintained at a relatively low temperature (lower than the mixing temperature) suitable for storage.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced thermoplastic resin structure comprising a thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers, having a ratio (Lw/Ln) of the number average fiber length (Ln) to the weight average fiber length (Lw) of the uniformly dispersed reinforcing fibers of 1.1 to 5, and having a weight average fiber length of 1.0 mm to 200 mm as well as a process and extruder for the production thereof.

Abstract: A rebar forming apparatus includes a malleable material supply station for continuously supplying a malleable planar material and a malleable material forming station for forming the malleable material into first and second corresponding shell portions and related rebar products. The apparatus also includes a core pultrusion station and a cladding forming station for respectively forming core and cladding layers. A shell forming station is positioned downstream of the core and cladding forming stations which unites the first and second shell portions to form an outer shell with the core and cladding layers contained therein. The rebar product includes shell portions which are matably configured to form a disposable outer shell over the core and cladding layers. Related reinforcing composite product forming methods also include the use of a removable outer shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing optical fiber ribbons which has a optical fiber gathering device, one or more coating applicators and a turn roller arranged in a straight line, with one or more alignment guide in plate form being provided on a travelling line of optical fibers or optical fiber ribbons upstream of the coating applicator. The alignment guide is chamfered to arch form on the side that contacts the optical fibers or the optical fiber ribbons. The alignment guide suppresses the optical fibers or the optical fiber ribbons from vibrating in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the arrangement of the optical fibers or the optical fiber ribbons.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for making a papermaking belt are provided, the belt comprising a reinforcing structure and a resinous framework joined together. The preferred continuous process comprises the steps of depositing a flowable resinous material onto a patterned molding surface; continuously moving the molding surface and the reinforcing structure at a transport velocity such that at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is in a face-to-face relationship with a portion of the molding surface; applying a fluid pressure differential to transfer the flowable resinous material from the molding surface onto the reinforcing structure and causing the flowable resinous material and the reinforcing structure to join together; and solidifying the resinous material thereby forming the resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A collectively coating die device (2) is provided for applying coating resin in a lump to coated optical fibers (1) arranged in parallel on one and the same plane so as to form a plurality of optical fiber ribbons (16) at the same time. The collectively coating die device (2) has a nipple portion (9) and a die portion (10), a resin accumulation space (8) formed between the nipple portion (9) and the die portion (10). The nipple portion (9) has two parallel planes and having a plurality of optical fiber passageways (13) shaped like ellipses in section and provided in the direction perpendicular to the planes. The die portion (10) has two parallel planes and has a plurality of optical fiber passageways (14) shaped like ellipses in section and is provided in the direction perpendicular to the planes. Each of the optical fiber passageways (13) of the nipple portion (9) has a tapered portion.

Abstract: A coating applicator for continuously applying matrix material to a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a ribbon configuration is described. The coating applicator has a first contacting means for contacting the plurality of optical fibers on a first side of the plurality of optical fibers and for contacting a first end fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. The coating applicator also has a second contacting means for contacting the plurality of optical fibers on a second side of the plurality of optical fibers and for contacting a second end fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. The second contacting means is located downstream of the first contacting means, and is located relative to the first contacting means so that the optical fibers are forced to contact the first and second contacting means as described above.

Abstract: A pre-twisted cable pair and a method for processing such pairs into an electrical cable having improved electrical and mechanical properties is disclosed. At least one insulated wire for transmitting electrical signals is pre-twisted prior to pairing with another insulated wire. As the pre-twisted wires are paired by a conventional double-twist machine which imparts back-twist, the detrimental electrical effects caused by irregularities in the individual wires are cycled over a very short distance, resulting in a cable pair having lower structural return loss, near-end crosstalk, and insertion loss than wires paired without any pre-twist. These pre-twisted wires may be united into a jacketed electrical cable by a continuous-extrusion jacketing process in which an optimal dielectric constant is maintained around each individual cable pair.

Abstract: An opening and resin-impregnation apparatus is used for impregnating a reinforcing fiber bundle (2) with a molten resin. The fiber bundle (2) is subjected to opening by bringing it into contact with opening pins (4). An auxiliary pin (5) is positioned within a specific region relative to the opening pin. The apparatus and a method which makes use of the apparatus permit the production of a continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin composite material having excellent impregnation characteristics and flexural strength while maintaining high stable productivity.

Abstract: A cable system is provided which can accommodate electrical and optical cabling. The conductors of the system employ a layer which is impedance-matched to space, decreasing their cross-section to electromagnetic interference. The conductors of the system also employ a layer which symmetrizes electromagnetic interference signals, reducing the effect of interference and crosstalk on the signals carried by the conductors. The system also includes a node interface device for connection to a global electrical and fiber network. The node interface device connects to a user interface device through the cable.

Abstract: A method for producing a compound from a plastics material with fixed fiber inlay uses a heated screw-type extruder (1) in which filaments (2) are drawn by means of automatic drawing-in, are cut up and mixed there and are subsequently removed as a finished fiber compound. To achieve a high content of long fibers in the finished fiber compound, before entering the extruder (1) the filaments (2) are impregnated with the plastics material in an impregnation tool (3).

Abstract: A continuous composite structure manufacturing apparatus which comprises a conveyor or conveyors for conveying one or more fabric webs along a conveying path. Each of the webs is comprised of a reinforcing fabric, a non-woven fabric, or a layered fabric. The fabric web is passed through the conveyor so that it defines an enclosed foam injection zone. A foam injection system is provided for injecting foam into the foam injection zone to form a foam core preform (or a plurality of same). One or more dies are positioned along the conveying path, to shape each of the foam core preform(s) to a desired cross-sectional profile. The individual stringers or multiple, spaced apart, stringers are produced concurrently in a continuous production process.

Abstract: Apparatus for impregnating surfaces, including edge surfaces, of fiberglass insulation batts with synthetic fibers, comprising a conveyor for advancing the batts in a common direction and, initially, in a side-by-side orientation. Separators thereafter interrupt the side-by-side orientation, exposing the edges of the batts. Extrusion heads located in the area of side edge exposure impregnate the exposed edges with synthetic fibers while other extruder heads apply synthetic fibers to one or optionally both of the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes an optical fiber, a buffer preferably of nylon, surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a yarn layer with strength fibers, preferably aramid fibers, disposed about the buffer and a sheath preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. In cross-section, the simplex optical fiber cable has a diameter less than 2.0 millimeters (mm), and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available. Preferably, if the buffer is relatively tin providing limited protection to the optical fiber, a slick substance such as talc is applied to an outer surface of the buffer before the yam layer is disposed thereon. The slick substance allows the buffer of the optical fiber to slide to a degree in contact with the yarn layer and thus reduces fatigue caused by axial movement of a ferrule of the connector terminating the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and controlling the excess length of a communications element disposed in a conduit is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the length of a communications element being disposed within the conduit, placing a mark on the conduit each time a pre-determined length of the communications element is disposed within the conduit, and measuring the distance between the marks on the conduit. The excess length is determined by comparing the distance between the initial mark and the subsequent mark on the conduit to the measured length of the communications element disposed within the conduit. To control the excess length ratio, the conduit may be stretched, or process parameters related to formation of the conduit may be changed.

Abstract: A system and method for impregnating a continuous fiber strand with a heated polymer melt involves the introduction of a polymer melt into a cavity and the routing the fiber strand through the cavity so the fiber is exposed to the polymer melt introduced therein. The strand is scrubbed as it is moved though the cavity so that the polymer melt is pressed against and blended within the fiber strand. The scrubbing action is effected by a rotating scrubber assembly mounted for rotation relative to the cavity about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of smooth-surfaced pins arranged in a spaced, substantially circular arrangement about the rotation axis and so that the longitudinal axes of the pins are generally parallel to one another. The direction of movement of the pins along the fiber strand corresponds generally with the direction of movement of the strand through the cavity.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring an electric insulated conductor, in particular a medium-voltage and/or high-voltage insulated conductor, are proposed. Seen in profile cross-section, the insulated conductor (50) includes a copper conductor, an inner semiconductor, an insulation and an outer semiconductor and is produced in an extrusion device (90) having an appropriately assigned crosslinking section (40). To achieve an even distribution of the two semiconductor layers and of the insulation layer, the insulated conductor (50) is radiated through immediately at the outlet from the crosslinking section (40) and a correction of the die setting in the extrusion device is carried out by means of values thus determined.

Abstract: An extruded-in fabric hinge comprised of a fabric hinge member extruded-in with a first member and a second member such that at least some of the fibers of the fabric hinge member are embedded within the first and second members. An extruder apparatus with an extrusion cavity comprised of a first surface with a first adjustable mandrel, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface integrated to form the extrusion cavity is used to make the extruded-in fabric hinge. A fabric hinge member is captured between the first adjustable mandrel and the second surface, and an extrusion material is extruded through an extrusion inlet of the extruder apparatus and into the extrusion cavity. The extrusion material integrates with the fabric hinge member such that at least some of the fibers of the fabric hinge member are embedded into the first and second members of the extruded-in fabric hinge.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing a composite insulator which includes an FRP core rod covered by a sheath and provided with a plurality of sheds which are made of an electrically insulating polymeric material. The sheds are set on a support member arranged on a downstream side of an extruder. The extruder is fed with a core rod and extrudes a polymeric material to form a sheath on the core rod. The core rod with the sheath is moved toward the downstream side through an opening in the support member. The sheds are sequentially moved along the support member toward the downstream side and transferred onto predetermined locations on the sheath that have passed through the opening and have reached the downstream side. An assembly is thus formed which includes the core rod, sheath formed on the core rod, and sheds transferred onto the sheath. The assembly is then heated to vulcanize the sheath and adhere it to the core rod and the sheds.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for producing a basic element of a multi-element fibre optic cable having a coating tool (6) for forming a tubular sheathing around a single optical fibre (3) or a fibre bundle formed of several optical fibres (3), and a pulling device (8) placed after the coating tool (6) for pulling the sheathing and the fibres forward as a unit. In order to produce a stable product, the tension (t.sub.3) of the fibres (3) passed to the coating tool (6) is kept continuously at a controlled level. The direction of travel of the fibres and the sheathing is kept straight before and at the pulling device (8), and the pulling device (8) is spaced from the coating tool (6) at a distance depending on the production rate of the production line, so that desired sliding of the fibres (30 inside the sheathing is provided at the pulling device (8).

Abstract: An electronic device in a cavity in a mold is encapsulated by a composite plastic having two materials placed, respectively, in sequential locations in a reservoir in the mold. The first material has desirable properties when in contact with the surface of the device, e.g., better adhesion. The second and different material has other desirable properties, e.g., mechanical strength, low moisture permeability, etc. The first location is first in line in a direction through the mold chambers to the cavity. The two-part encapsulant is injected into the cavity without significant turbulence so as to avoid much mixing of the two materials. This creates a boundary layer of the first material which preferentially applies a coating to the device while the second material substantially fills the bulk of the space in the mold cavity. A composite encapsulation is formed having overall superior properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating fibrous strands with plastic material as matrix material including: an impregnating core having an outer limiting surface; an impregnating shell defining a cavity therein having an inner limiting surface, the impregnating shell completely enveloping the impregnating core and being disposed with respect to the impregnating core such that the limiting surfaces together define an impregnating channel therebetween, the limiting surfaces concentrically enclosing the impregnating channel along a joint symmetry axis such that the impregnating channel has a ring-shaped cross section in a plane transverse to the joint symmetry axis, the ring-shaped cross section having an outside dimension which diminishes by stages in a flow direction for the impregnation, feeding channels for the fibrous strands and the matrix material being defined at an intake side of the impregnating channel and a discharge opening for impregnated fibrous strands being defined at an exit side of the impregnating chan

Abstract: A core tube for mounting in the axial bore of the body of cross-head die apparatus through which a filamentary member is drawn as a layer of flowable coating material is applied thereto. The coating material is injected through a radial bore having an axis intersecting an annular groove extending 360 degrees around the core tube. The annular groove communicates with a flow passage leading to the die orifice both through an annular space surrounding the forward end of the groove and through three axial grooves, two of which are of the same size and the other larger. The larger groove is positioned 180 degrees from the axis of the radial bore in the die body and 100 degrees from each of the small grooves.

Abstract: Process and device for producing two-colored or multicolored switchboard films, dashboard films or dashboards for motor vehicles produced therefrom using at least one backing film or backing layer, at least one upper film or upper layer which is arranged thereon and contains dyes and/or color pigments. The polymer melts for these films or layers come from two or more extruders and are supplied first to an adapter or a black box having at least one opening or a gap for the backing film or layer and at least one further opening for the upper film or upper layer. According to the invention, an adapter or a black box is used in which a wedge-shaped projection or a projection of triangular cross section is arranged. At least two different-colored polymer compositions in melt form, having identical viscosity or virtually identical viscosity (difference in MFI at 230.degree. C./2.16 kg of 0 to 0.

Abstract: This is a proposal of a process and a device for the serial assembly of extrudates with securing elements or the like, where the securing elements or the like are fed to the extrusion tool during the extrusion process. Then they are inserted in said extrusion tool and anchored in the extrudate as a result of the occurring extrusion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extruding a plastic rod having helical slots in its external surface includes the use of a die including a relieved exit end face, resulting in a more uniform drag on the plastic melt. Plastic rods so formed are used in slotted core type optical fiber telecommunication cables. The die includes internal channels which form peripheral ribs on the plastic rod. The channels may follow either a helical or a straight path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a grooved plastic spacer for a slotted core type telecommunications cable includes a helically shaped calibration member inserted into each groove after extrusion of the spacer to maintain the shape of the groove until it is sufficiently cooled. A telecommunications cable made according to the method includes a spacer made of plastic having a melt flow index equal to or greater than 0.65 g/10 min.

Abstract: Process and device for producing two-colored or multicolored switchboard films, dashboard films or dashboards for motor vehicles produced therefrom using at least one backing film or backing layer, at least one upper film or upper layer which is arranged thereon and contains dyes and/or color pigments. The polymer melts for these films or layers come from two or more extruders and are supplied first to an adapter or a black box having at least one opening or a gap for the backing film or layer and at least one further opening for the upper film or upper layer. According to the invention, an adapter or a black box is used in which a wedge-shaped projection or a projection of triangular cross section is arranged. At least two different-colored polymer compositions in melt form, having identical viscosity or virtually identical viscosity (difference in MFI at 230.degree. C./2.16 kg of 0 to 0.

Abstract: A process of making a fiber-reinforced polymeric material comprises sliding a fiber bundle over an arcuate support surface (2) in the line of the arc, and injecting into the bundle a molten or liquid polymer through a plurality of slots (4) in the surface, each slot being transverse to the bundle. The process allows effective impregnation of materials, at relatively high production speed and low capital costs.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an exact measurement of the thickness of a plurality of individual semi-conductor and insulation layers and the determination of the centricity/eccentricity of a medium-voltage and/or high-voltage insulated conductor. The individual semi-conductor and insulation layers of the insulated conductor emerging from an extrusion device are penetrated with X-rays in at least two directions laying within a plane orthogonal to the axis of the insulated conductor. On carrying out a line-scan intensity detection of the X-rays having penetrated the insulated conductor, the thickness of the individual layers as well as the position of the conductor is computed. These values are compared with target ones, and, if necessary, the position of the extruder heads can be corrected accordingly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for producing a long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin compositions by initially loosening a continuous fiber bundle by a fiber loosening device so as to form a moving web-like continuous fiber bundle. At least one side of the moving web-like continuous fiber bundle which passes through the die is coated with a thermoplastic resin melt extruded through a slit disposed in the die by an extruder. The slit has substantially the same width as that of the web-like continuous fiber bundle to provide an even supply of the resin melt in the width direction of the web-like continuous fiber bundle. A thermoplastic resin melt is supplied to the slit via a plurality of resin supply paths which are branched successively on the same plane. The resin supply paths are positioned so as to be symmetrically planar with respect to the central axis of the root paths thereof.

Abstract: A method for performing resin injected pultrusion employing different resin materials is provided. The method comprises impregnating the interior layers of a pultrusion reinforcement pack with a first resin material, adding the exterior layers to form a pultrusion pack and impregnating the pack with a resin material substantially nonidentical to the first resin material.

Abstract: A method of injecting a filler in controlled manner into a protective tube for protecting optical fibers, the method consisting in regulating the delivery rate of the filler being injected as the closed tube advances. In the method, the delivery rate is regulated by detecting the position of the front of the filler contained in the protective tube relative to at least one detection point on the line for advancing the closed protective tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel kind of aluminum laminally filled plastic pellets and a process and apparatus for manufacturing the plastic pellets. The process includes coating the upper and lower surfaces of each of the substantially parallel lined aluminum foil layers with a coupling agent; drying the aluminum foil layers; introducing a molten plastic matrix to the space between each two aluminum foil layers and the outer surfaces of the most outside two aluminum foil layers to moisturize and bind the aluminum foil layers; reducing the thickness of the aluminum foil layers to form a continuous laminally filled plastic composite plate; and cooling and cutting the composite plate into aluminum laminally filled plastic pellets of a predetermined size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resin injected pultrusion is provided. The method comprises injecting a resin material into a reinforcement pack at a sufficiently high pressure such that the pressure in the injection area or weir of the injection die is substantially equal to the compression pressure applied by the exit portion of the injection die. An apparatus for achieving the method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling the interspaces between leads of a bundle of leads, which may be optical or electrical leads, with a water-repelling compound characterized by a filling head having a pre-filling chamber and a main filling chamber. The leads are supplied via a common admission channel to the pre-filling chamber which has a channel opening that is selected to be only slightly larger than the diameter of the envelope of the leads combined to form a bundle of leads. The pre-filling chamber is followed by a coating nozzle having a diminished cross section, which coating nozzle receives the bundle and discharges it into the main filling chamber.

Abstract: The triple coextrusion of snack food products having highly uniform and integral individual layers is achieved by the use of a compact, precisely toleranced coextrusion die which may be mounted at the outlet end of a cooker extruder. The coextrusion die includes a die block with smooth, unobstructed flow passages for each material. The outer passages for the casing material are substantially coaxial with the central axis of the die block and extend from end to end. A central bore and an annular passage having their central axes aligned with the central axis of the die block at its outlet end extend upstream to filler feed ports. The feed port entrances are at the outer surface of the die block between its ends. The side ports and filler feed lines connected to them do not interfere with a substantially straight flow path of casing material directly from a cooker extruder. A protruding tip formed at the outlet end of the die block by the bore and annular passage extends into a converging block or cone.

Abstract: A finish applicator mounting unit includes an apertured member having a plurality of apertures shaped to receive a corresponding plurality of finish applicator nozzles, and a locking mechanism that selectively obstructs the plurality of apertures such that when the corresponding plurality of finish applicator nozzles are received in the plurality of apertures, the finish applicator nozzles are selectively locked in the finish applicator mounting unit. The mounting unit preferably includes an alignment pin that ensures both proper alignment and proper insertion of the finish applicator nozzles. The finish applicator nozzles include a ceramic applicator head fictionally received in an elastic connector. A filament slot is configured to cooperate with the alignment pin to ensure the proper alignment and insertion of the nozzles. The nozzles operate more effectively and efficiently than conventional nozzles, and the mounting unit enables easy access to the nozzles for cleaning, repair and/or replacement.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable, including optical fibers and a tube housing the fibers, is made by a process wherein optical fibers are fed from one or more pay-out device to the interior of an extrusion head which also receives a sheathing material in viscous form. The extrusion head extrudes the viscous material to form a sheath surrounding, but out of contact with the fibers. With the fibers still out of contact with the sheath, the fibers and sheath pass through a jig which calibrates the sheath to the final form of the tube, and cools the viscous material in a first stage of solidification. Thereafter, the cable comprising the tube and optical fibers is would up around a first draw-in device and heat treated. From the first draw-in device the cable passes to a second draw-in device with the tension of the cable between the two draw-in devices being regulated.

Abstract: For the extrusion of extruded profiles with a color pattern or their coating with such a color pattern, a plasticized material of at least two-colors is used, which is separated into at least two partial flows. These partial flows are combined before they exit the extruding head (1), whereby the partial flows are largely maintained. These partial flows can in turn be separated into further partial flows. The extruding head (1) is equipped with a distribution plate (4) in which distribution channels (8a, b) as well as a ring channel (11) are formed as grooves, with the ring channel connected to an the exit channel (38) through a ring slot (19, 20). The plasticized material entering through the ring slot (19, 20) into the exit channel (38) coats the pre-manufactured extruded profile (39) inserted through the guidance part (13) and the die arbor (24).

Abstract: A secondary coating line for producing a secondary-coated optical fibre or bundle of fibres, the line including a feeding apparatus with a feed roll for feeding an optical fibre or bundle of fibres; an extruder for extruding an oversize secondary jacket around the fibre or bundle of fibres; a cooling apparatus for cooling the extruded secondary jacket, the distance between the extruder and the point where the cooling apparatus starts to cool being adjustable; and a winding apparatus for winding the finished secondary-coated fibre or bundle of fibres on a take-up roll.

Abstract: A cross-head die for the manufacture of long fiber-reinforced resin structures enhances fiber loosening and resin melt impregnation of fiber bundle near its inlet. A passageway along which the fiber bundle travels is defined between the die inlet and outlet and is in communication with a resin port to allow a resin melt to be introduced thereinto so as to impregnate the traveling fiber bundle. The passageway meanders relative to the common plane so as to establish a plurality of alternating successive peak and valley portions each having a substantially constant pitch dimension as measured at adjacent crossing points of the passageway with the common plane. A first peak or valley portion adjacent to the inlet has a greater height dimension as measured from the common plane as compared to a last peak or valley portion adjacent the outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a resin structure reinforced with long fibers. A continuous fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin melt while the fiber bundle is being drawn continuously. Thereafter, the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle is shaped so as to have a cross-section of the intended final product. The shaped resin-impregnated fiber bundle is then cut at a downstream location. Shaping of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle is accomplished by a plurality of rolls, each having grooves formed on the outer periphery thereof which receive the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle. The grooves and the rolls are arranged such that the rolls are placed, in an alternating manner, at upper and lower positions with respect to the fiber bundle which is being drawn and such that the grooves of the rolls on the elevation plane perpendicular to the running direction of the fiber bundle forms a shape of the cross-section of the intended final product.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing a coated fiber reinforced pultruded article or coated extrudate and the coating composition for use in this process. The coating composition includes an isocyanate resin, at least one active hydrogen-containing resin and at least one solvent having an evaporation rate equal to or less than about 0.5. The process and coating composition of the present invention produce fiber reinforced plastic articles having smooth, adherent surface coatings.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying gel to a plurality of optical fibers includes a housing having a cavity through which a plurality of separated optical fibers are fed. The gel is provided to the cavity from a gel reservoir via a pump that maintains the pressure and gel level to ensure that the optical fibers are coated with gel to eliminate air gaps and thus prevent sticking among the optical fibers.

Abstract: A cross-head die for applying a coating layer to a filamentary member, e.g., plastic insulation to an electrical wire, includes a die body with an axial bore in which a tip holder is removably positioned with tapered surfaces of the holder in engagement with like-tapered surfaces of the bore. The holder is maintained in position by a lock nut on a threaded portion of the holder extending out of the die body. In order to assist in removal of the tip holder, an auxiliary nut, engageable with the threads on the tip holder, is provided. The threads on the collar and lock nut are right-hand, while those on the tip holder and auxiliary nut are left-hand, or vice versa. In order to remove the tip holder, the lock nut is backed off a few turns and the auxiliary nut is threaded on the tip holder until it engages the lock nut. As torque is applied to the auxiliary nut an axial force is exerted on the tip holder, pulling it free of the body bore and permitting its easy removal after both nuts are removed.