Abstract: An apparatus (10) for rolling sheets (S) of dough for bakery products (P) has a simplified structure and optimum efficiency and comprises a pair of shaping rollers (17, 19), arranged transversely with respect to the direction of forward movement (A) of the dough sheets (S), with axes of rotation (R1, R2) essentially parallel to the surface (12) on which the dough sheets (S) are conveyed and defining a first shaping surface (18), located at a short distance from the conveying surface (12), in such a way as to lift the dough sheet (S), and a second shaping surface (20) approximately tangential to the first surface (18), the second shaping roller (19) being located in such a way as to define a rolling space (21) whose transverse dimensions are roughly comparable to those of the shaped bakery product (P).

Abstract: An apparatus for making a multi-portion mixing element for a static mixer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base and a split die set having a first die and a second die in axial alignment which are rotatably mounted to the base. Each of the dies have an opening forming an extrusion pattern which mate with respect to the other. The dies are capable of rotating together so that the patterns are in an aligned position during rotation. The dies are also capable of rotating to a misaligned position. An extruder for extruding an extrudable material through the first and second dies is provided and a controller controls the rotational position of the dies during extrusion. The dies are rotated simultaneously during extrusion with the patterns aligned to form a mixing portion of the mixing element and are rotated to a misaligned position to create a space between the mixing portions.

Abstract: For calibration and stabilization of the discharge product from extruders it is known to use tubular calibration units both for calibration of the product diameter and for cooling of the product for initial stabilization of the product, whereby the calibration pipe should have a noticeable length. For a current exact calibration it may be desirable to effect small changes of the calibration diameter, yet with associated problem in exchanging the calibration pipe. The apparatus provides for a calibration pipe (14) with adjustable diameter, viz. in that the pipe is made of a number of split rings (16), which are juxtaposed with random locations of the splits (18), such that the pipe when seen in its axial direction is entirely unbroken. The rings (16) may be collectively radially compressed in a controlled manner by means of axially extending wedge clamp rods (24, 26) for a uniform adjustment of the diameter of the pipe (14) as a whole.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting hexokinase enzymes in mammalian cells. Specifically provided are proteins that stimulate the production of trehalose-6-phosphate and their respective genes; hexokinase-specific ribozymes and genes encoding such constructs; and agents that competitively reduce hexokinase activity, e.g., by displacing hexokinase from mitochondria, and their respective genes. The latter group of agents includes inactive hexokinases and fragments thereof that retain mitochondrial binding functions and hexokinase-glucokinase chimeras that further substitute glucokinase activity for hexokinase activity. Mammalian cells including such hexokinase inhibitors, methods of making such cells and various in vitro and in vivo methods of using cells with reduced hexokinase activity are also described herein.

Abstract: Method and devices for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel includes an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. The forcing over the mandrel is achieved by exerting a pushing force on the tube upstream of the expansion part of the mandrel by a pushing device acting upon the outside of the tube, and by exerting a pulling force on the tube downstream of the mandrel. The pushing device acts upon the tube at a distance upstream of the mandrel, and the tube is supported between the place where said pushing device acts and the expansion part of the mandrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing continuous lengths of compression-molded material containing thermoplastic resin. Discrete lengths of extruded material are indexed through a compression mold. The mold forms, hardens, and integrally joins two successive extruded segments of material. A first molded segment is indexed forward leaving a trailing portion in the mold. A subsequent segment is extruded into the mold, and is integrally joined to the trailing portion by compressing the mold. Subsequent segments can be joined to produce a continuous profiled length formed from recycled thermoplastic material, while avoiding damage and downtime caused by contaminants in recycled material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing biaxially oriented tubing from a thermoplastic material. The method includes forcing the tube over a mandrel at an orientation temperature of the plastic material, which mandrel is an expansion part which produces expansion in the circumferential direction of the tube. Downstream of the mandrel an axial pulling force is exerted on the tube, and the biaxially oriented tube is cooled down. At a distance downstream of the mandrel, the tube is drawn through a calibration opening bounded by a calibration device, the calibration opening being such that it produces a reduction in the external dimensions of the tube. Accurate regulation of the external dimensions of the tube is provided by regulating the distance between the mandrel and the calibration device, in particular depending on the external dimensions of the tube measured downstream of the calibration device.

Abstract: An extruder projects through a bulkhead adapted to form part of a vacuum chamber, and a die is mounted on the end of the extruder within the bulkhead. The extruder projects through a gland seal which is formed in a sleeve surrounding the extruder. The seal includes a plurality of seal rings surrounding the extruder and packed in the sleeve and held in place in a preferred from by a yieldable retainer. A shaper is positioned downstream of the die and is clamped to the upstream end of the die. The shaper is mounted on tracks on a girder extending from the bulkhead clear of its periphery. The apparatus permits congruent axial movement of the extruder, die and shaper with respect to the bulkhead.

Abstract: A method of extruding a homogeneous plastic rod substantially free of shrink voids, the method having the steps of: extruding a rod central portion of plastic material having a glass transition point and a Vicat softening point below the glass transition point, the rod central portion having a center core and an outer skin; cooling the rod central portion while maintaining the outer skin above the Vicat softening point until the center core is cooled to approximately the Vicat softening point; using an extruder to extrude around the rod central portion a sheath of the same plastic material, the sheath having an outer skin and inner and outer portions, such that the rod central portion acts as a heat sink for the inner portion of the sheath, and such that, at the extruder, the plastic material forming the outer skin of the rod central portion is melted upon contact with the plastic material forming the sheath and the plastic material of the rod central portion and the plastic material of the sheath form the ho

Abstract: A horizontal vacuum extrusion line includes a fixed bulkhead, a die inside the bulkhead, a telescoping vacuum chamber section and a fixed chamber section. A dam in the fixed section forms a pond for immersion cooling of the extrudate. A truss extends from the dam to the bulkhead supporting, shaping and calibration equipment and extends through the telescoping section. Fluid pressurizable seals at each end of the telescoping section are operable after the telescoping section is closed against the bulkhead and the telescoping and fixed sections are locked together. The telescoping section provide a more compact line and easier access to the complex equipment downstream of the die. The extrudate from the die passes down into the pond and then through an orifice in a hood projecting from the chamber into a lower level portion of the pond exposed to atmosphere. The hood also includes a tractor drive to push the extrudate through the underwater orifice.

Abstract: A synthetic wood meal in which a thermoplastic resin material of 25 to 80 wt % is mixed with a cellulose crushed material of 20 to 75 wt % that lies in the moisture content of within 15 wt % and the mean particle diameter of 20 mesh or less, the mixed material is kneaded so as to be set to gel, and the kneaded material is cooled and pulverized and regulated to a size that lies in a particle diameter of 10 mm or less. Then, the synthetic wood meal as the cellulose crushed material is mixed in at the rate of 20 to 75 wt % to the resin material, the mixed material is kneaded by heating and squeezed by a screw or screws of an extruding die 78 in an extruder.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous solid state forming of semicrystalline polymers using roll-drawing is disclosed. The output of an extruded thick polymer profile is stabilized by a gear pump. The profile is passed through a die for the desired geometry and a cooling calibrator. The profile is heat conditioned in heating tunnels to a temperature below the melting point prior to deformation between sets of rolls. A plurality, e.g. four pairs of rolls apply both compression and tension to the polymer profile. The tension applied on the profile, the roll gap, the linear speed of the profile and its temperature are monitored and controlled for the amount of polymer deformation and relaxation allowed. High tensile modulus and strength, both in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the polymeric strip, can be achieved.

Abstract: A high-quality molded surface fastener is manufactured by extruding molten thermoplastic resin, in a predetermined width, from an extrusion nozzle to a circumferential surface of a die wheel having a multiplicity of engaging-element-forming cavities, driving the die wheel for rotation, and molding a multiplicity of engaging elements integrally with a plate-like substrate sheet. At the same time, pseudo elements are molded integrally with the substrate sheet along opposite side edges, using pseudo-element-forming cavities in opposite side circumferential surfaces of the die wheel simultaneously. With the pseudo elements, the molded surface fastener is peeled off the die wheel under a uniform peeling force through the entire width of the substrate sheet. Thus the high-quality surface fastener can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus to stably and continuously roll up bread dough into stick-like bread, such as bread dough or bread dough on which ham or cheese is put. The apparatus includes a drive shaft located parallel to a conveying surface of a conveyor and a plurality of circular dough-holding disks mounted on the drive shaft. A plurality of dough-rolling plates is provided between the adjacent dough-holding disks along the conveying surface. The rolling plates roll the bread dough and the like. The apparatus securely rolls bread dough of a nonuniform thickness or bread dough on which ham and the like is put. Also, the present invention can securely roll a plurality of rows of bread dough that is conveyed.

Abstract: Ligands which bind to the eck receptor are disclosed. More particularly, polypeptides which bind specifically to the eck receptor (eck receptor binding proteins or EBPs) and DNA sequences encoding said polypeptides are disclosed. Methods of treatment using eck receptor ligands and soluble eck receptor and disclosed, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing same. A rapid and sensitive method for the detection of receptor binding activity in crude samples is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a resin structure reinforced with long fibers by impregnating a continuous fiber bundle with a molten resin, shaping the resin-impregnated continuous fiber bundle so as to have a cross section of an intended final product; and then taking up the resin-impregnated and shaped continuous fiber bundle shaped with upper and lower endless belts or rolls. A comb-shaped structure is positioned at a location on an upstream side of the endless belts or rolls so as to hold the resin-impregnated continuous fiber bundle between two adjacent teeth thereof. The comb-shaped structure is oscillated in a widthwise direction of the endless belts or rolls with the resin-impregnated continuous fiber bundle held between the two adjacent teeth thereof so as to responsively oscillate the resin-impregnated continuous fiber bundle in the widthwise direction of the endless belts or rolls.

Abstract: This invention relates to making backwindable rod shaped batts or logs from highly oriented flash-spun continuous fibers. The fibers are conducted from the exit of a spinneret through a tunnel and into a two stage diverging nozzle to slow down the fibers for an organized collection in the collection section. The invention further includes an inflatable bladder in a discharge section for initiating the formation of the log and a mesh screen in the collection section for reducing the occurrence of fiber blow out through the gas discharge ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making U-shaped retaining wall members includes a combination of an extrusion die station, a calibration station, a heavy duty puller such as a tire puller and a travelling saw. The calibration station includes a series of calibration blocks which are spaced apart in an increasing fashion and controllably cooled to subject the extruded product exiting the extruding station to a controlled temperature gradient to prevent thermal shock.

Abstract: An apparatus for winding-up croissant dough pieces is provided. It comprises a conveyor, a pair of pressing boards, and a spacing means having a dough-piece detecting means. By the apparatus a triangular croissant dough piece is fed between the conveyor and the pair of pressing boards and wound up, while each of the pressing boards is moved outwardly of the conveyor by the spacing means, thereby lengthening both ends of a dough roll being wound to shape a long and slender croissant dough roll. After shaping it, the pressing boards are caused to approach each other. The dough-piece detecting means is effective in synchronizing the actuation of the pressing boards with the winding-up operation, so that a wound dough roll is precisely lengthened in its axial direction.

Abstract: A dough web feeding device is provided which includes a first conveyor, a drive means or motor for that conveyor, a reciprocating shuttle, and a separate drive means or servo motor for the reciprocating shuttle. The speed, amount of rotation, and acceleration/deceleration profile for the drive means of the reciprocating shuttle can be precisely controlled to facilitate adjustable dough lapping.

Abstract: A vacuum sizing apparatus and method of cooling and sizing plastic extrusions. In one embodiment the molten plastic extrudate enters a first vacuum chamber, passes into an ambient air environment, and then passes into a second water chamber. The first vacuum chamber includes entry and exit sizing plate manifolds to impart and maintain the size and shape of the plastic extrudate.

Abstract: Staple fibres of solvent-spun cellulose are made by a method in which:i) cellulose is dissolved in an amine oxide solvent to form a hot cellulose solution,ii) the hot cellulose solution is extruded through a die assembly to form a tow of continuous filaments,iii) the tow is passed through a water bath to leach out the amine oxide,iv) the tow is crimped by passing through a stuffer box in which it is compressed to apply crimp,v) dry steam being injected into the stuffer box during the crimping process, andvi) the crimped tow is passed to a cutter and cut to the desired fibre length. An apparatus is also provided in which the staple fibres can be made.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for forming ribs with sideward projections in a plastic pipe. The projections are formed by means of elongated rolls (10) each moving around the pipe and rotating about its central axis, the rolls being in an inclined position and at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the pipe.

Abstract: A flat and nearly mechanically isotropic polymer film or sheet, or a tube, can be formed by laminating two or more films, preferably by coextrusion of a liquid crystal polymer film and a thermoplastic polymer film. A liquid crystal polymer layer may be combined with one or more thermoplastic polymer layer in various arrangements. The liquid crystal, and possibly the thermoplastic as well, may have a controlled molecular orientation. The film may be formed by passing a polymer through a set of two or three tubular rotors which are concentric and have facing surfaces which define inner and outer annular polymer flow channels.

Abstract: An improved manifold calibration finger which can be used in conjunction with a die head in the extrusion of a plastic with the manifold calibration finger comprising a first section comprising an elongate tubular member having a grooved outer surface and an elongate central channel extending through the first section from one end of the first section to the other.

Abstract: A method, process and apparatus for generating complex shapes without the use of dies, molds, or other fixed tooling. A continuous length or flow of a malleable or fluent material is provided to a forming apparatus which shapes the material, producing a contiguous series of smoothly blended, properly contoured portions of the desired shape. The formation of a shape relies on continuous control of shape-determining variables: the instantaneous cross-section of the shape in a virtual transition surface between the formable and formed material, the rate-of-change of cross-sectional dimensions between sequential cross-sections, the instantaneous angle of movement of the material at any point on the cross-section in the transition surface, and the rate of movement away from the transition surface of the just-stabilized portion of the shape. The material is stabilized as these shape-determining variables achieve the proper values in each portion of the material.

Abstract: An oscillating hauloff device for removing blown film from an extruding apparatus. The oscillating hauloff includes a stacked ring arrangement which provides a compact and stable structure. The turning bars and idler rolls are encompassed in the ring structure and are arranged to cancel effects of web wandering and wrinkling. A method for making the oscillating hauloff, including CNC machining of annealed ring-shaped weldments, that is economical and simple to manufacture. The turning bars are provided with reinforcements that prevent deflection of the turning bars during use. Further the turning bars are provided with flow restricted outlets and axially extending channels to supply uniform air pressure to float the blown film on the turning bars. A specific arrangement for providing utility services to the oscillating hauloff is also disclosed which employs torsional deflection of the loads during rotation of the rings.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously vulcanizing a rubber molding extruded from an extruder is disclosed in which a single or plural microwave heating apparatus is arranged within a heating bath. The microwave heating apparatus can generate internal heating of the rubber molding so that a surface temperature of the rubber molding can be held at a temperature substantially equal to the internal temperature of the rubber molding. Thus, uniform vulcanization of the rubber molding occurs. In addition, when both the microwave heating apparatus and an external heating source are arranged within the heating bath, an infrared ray radiator, arranged within the heating bath, radiates infra-red rays according to energy absorbed from the microwave heating apparatus and the external heating source. Thus overall heating efficiency can be increased.

Abstract: In a foil blowing apparatus, the distribution of singularity in the flattened foil tube over the length of a roll in which the tube is coiled are distributed by a fold shifting device above the squeezing rollers at the top of the foil blowing unit. The fold shifting device has three sets of pivotal planes each formed by a deflecting roller and a turning bar and oriented so that the maximum angle between each approaching stretch of the flattened tube and a perpendicular to the turning bar is 30.degree. and the maximum angle of each departing stretch and the perpendicular to the turning bar is 30.degree..

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of corrugated tubing from thermoplastic synthetic resin including a shaping path following an extrusion head of an extruder and composed of a guide which is arranged in a frame and on which mold halves, fitted together in a pair at an inlet to define annular molds in a compact train as a travelling mold moving with the tube are advanced by at least one drive pinion arranged at an initial part of the shaping path, the pinion being in mesh with racks on the fitted together mold halves. At an exit point following the shaping path, the mold halves are separated from one another and are gripped by gripping arms provided with coupling devices and area shunted back to the inlet of the shaping path. The gripping arms are bearinged by drives in a movable fashion on carriages. The carriages are able to be reciprocated by drives on guides on return paths parallel to the shaping path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously extruding a product, and forming it into a bend by applying a force to it at a point of application downstream of where its surface becomes solid. The force has a transverse component relative to the die axis, and performs work upon the extruded material, extra to the work that has already been performed to extrude it. Non-contact members of applying the force are described, and various ram-type contacting members are illustrated. Alternative means of operation are described in which the point of application of the force to the extrudate during bending varies relative both to the extrudate and to the die, relative to the extrudate only, and relative to the die only. Means to alter the direction of bending are described, and to diminish the necessary bending force by creating a fluctuating melt pressure within the die.

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: A method and apparatus for production of smooth or corrugated small and large diameter thermoplastic tubing and composite tubular structures. The apparatus includes a supporting framework, a plurality of mold carriages mounted on said framework for reciprocal linear travel therealong, at least one mold block mounted on each of said mold carriages, each said mold block comprising a pair of opposed semi-cylindrical segments mounted on a carriage for transverse linear reciprocal travel therealong for closing and opening of said mold block, an actuating mechanism for moving said opposed mold segments towards and away from each other, and a single actuating mechanism for selectively moving said carriages.

Abstract: An in-line tubing die for forming thin walled plastic tubing from molten plastic extrudate is provided. The hub of the tubing die is concentrically positioned within a housing and held in place by radially extending fins that join the housing to the hub. Every one of the fins that holds the hub within the housing has an air passage formed through it so that the fins are of a uniform temperature and the plastic extrudate flows uniformly around each of the fins to keep the thickness of the plastic tubing walls uniform around the entire circumference of the tubing. An annular groove or grooves are provided around the housing and are enclosed by a sheath which permits the air to circulate around the housing and be warmed to some extent before entering the passages within the fins and thereafter entering into the passage extending coaxially with the hub and into the interior of the plastic tubing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a reclosable closure profile, wherein the configuration of the closure profile is mechanically altered for controlling the width of the gap in a groove member by passing the closure profile, while still hot enough to be formed, through a profile gapping means, whereby the surfaces of the closure profile contact the gapping means, thereby maintaining the desired final gap width of the closure profile and/or whereby the gapping means includes a cutting means for notching the base of the groove member for controlling the closure force of the groove member.

Abstract: An improved pipe production line is provided having an improved manifold assembly component and an improved former component.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the orientation of a plastic pipe, wherein a pipe blank (2) is produced with an extruder and fed into a pipe forming apparatus provided with movable moulds (3), such as a corrugator, the pipe being conveyed forward in the corrugator with said moulds over a mandrel (4), along which the pipe is further conveyed out from the corrugator. In accordance with the invention, the plastic pipe (7) is oriented radially immediately after the corrugator by means of a conically widening mandrel (5) forming an extension of said corrugator. The invention also relates to an oriented ribbed plastic pipe produced by the method.

Abstract: An extruder for extruding a foodstuff terminates in an extrusion head having a product outlet die and having a feed duct pipe for feeding a foodstuff filler material into the foodstuff extruded through the head so that the extruded foodstuff encases the filler material so that a foodstuff-encased product passes through the outlet die. A shaper is positioned for receiving the encased product directly from the die outlet and has an inner rotatable ring body mold and outer rotatable annulus molds, wherein the outer annulus molds are positioned about and off-center of and are rotatable with the ring mold so that upon rotation, the annulus molds and ring mold body converge for shaping the encased product and then the annulus molds separate from the shaped product. A cooling system is positioned for receiving the shaped product and cooling the shaped product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a croissant dough-piece bending apparatus having a conveyor for conveying rolled-up croissant dough pieces, a dough-piece bending member to push the central portion of the dough piece downstream, and a pair of swingable dough-piece bending belts. The dough-piece is pushed by the dough-piece bending member toward and between the dough-piece bending-belts. The dough piece is correctly bent at its center by the cooperation of the bending-member and the bending-belts. By this invention the dough pieces can be bent without getting wrinkles on their surfaces, and symmetrically bent products of a uniform shape can be obtained.

Abstract: A foil or film of plastic or rubber is extruded and placed upon a cooled drum for the cooling of the film or foil with the aid of an air sheet derived from a nozzle section which extends above the drum transverse to the direction of displacement of the foil or film. The nozzle has flow deflectors which are responsible from the walls to vary the deflectors. The flow deflectors are convex toward one another and have air foil configurations while being designed to deflect respective streams outwardly along the edges of the foil to resist curvature.

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: This method for forming a measuring diaphragm which measures the volume of a passing gas with high accuracy and has a prolonged service life because the diaphragm moves completely in the same way to both sides of the measuring vessel in which it is fixed. The measuring diaphragm when produced in quantity has an undulating structure of high uniformity and variation in quality of the diaphragm is small.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene thin-wall pipe which is uniform in thickness and free from a folded mark. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene thin-wall pipe is manufactured by supplying ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene into and melting and kneading, continuously extruding the molten substance of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene from a die connected to a screw of the screw extruder to form a cylindrical roughly shaped article, and diametrically expanding the cylindrical roughly extruded article by a tapered core and taking up.

Abstract: A method for molding shaped products from particles of vegetable origin which have a size of 0.002 to 10 mm at a moisture content of 4 to 15%. The method includes the steps of mixing a filler containing particles of vegetable origin and a binder which is obtained from hemicelluloses released from particles of vegetable origin upon molding. The briquettes are formed from the resultant mixture with an axial passageway then packed and transferred to a molding zone where a continuous shaped blank is obtained by joining each successive packed briquette to the preceding one under a specific pressure of 2 to 50 MPa and a temperature in the range of 160.degree. to 350.degree. C. A counterpressure equal to at least the molding pressure is generated as each successive packed briquette is joined at the molded end of the continuous molded blank. Then products of required length are cut from the resultant continuous shaped blank. An apparatus for carrying out the method includes a chamber (4) for molding the briquettes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an elongated beam from compressible material. A mixture of filling material and plastic material is delivered to a first space and there compressed. The compressed material is pressed through a nozzle into a second space defined by a matrix of wall parts, where the material is made more rigid. The wall parts of the matrix can be moved backwards and forwards in a particular sequence to enable beam parts to be fed continuously through the matrix.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of producing a reinforced extrusion product, the product of the method, and the apparatus for making a reinforced extrusion product. The method of producing an extruded composite of the present invention, comprises the general steps of: (a) extruding a longitudinally oriented composite precursor comprising: (1) at least one thermoplastic polymeric material and (2) a core mixture of at least one thermosetting resin and at least one filler material; whereby the thermoplastic polymeric material(s) is/are extruded so as to substantially enclose a space, and whereby the core mixture is disposed in the space; and (b) maintaining the composite precursor under conditions whereby the thermoplastic polymeric material(s) become(s) cooled and the thermosetting resin(s) become(s) cured so as to form the extruded composite of the present invention. The present invention also includes an extruded composite made in accordance with the method of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of pipes having transverse profile features has a machine bed, on which half shells, which can be combined to form a mold, are rotatably and displaceably drivable. The half shells are pressed together on a molding path by guide rails, of which one is displaceable at right angles to the direction of production by hydraulically actuatable drives. Interlockings may be provided in addition, a locking member of which engaging with an associated locking recess.

Abstract: Annularly or helically ribbed or corrugated semi-rigid thermoplastic pipe is modified to have a smooth outer wall. The ribbed or corrugated pipe is passed through a heated sleeve to squash and smooth the outer profile of corrugated pipe or bend over ribs of ribbed pipe and mold a smooth outer skin of the pipe. Apparatus for forming the modified pipe includes a travelling mold tunnel for the production of ribbed or corrugated pipe and a smoothing sleeve downstream thereof. The smoothing sleeve has a heater to heat it sufficiently to mold the smoother outer skin.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a chamber member which receives optical light waveguides comprises an extruder head for extruding the chamber member followed by a calibrating device which inserts members into each of the chambers to insure the desired dimensions of each of the chambers and a method of using the apparatus by extruding a chamber member, allowing the extruded chamber member to cool and then calibrating the dimension of the chamber walls of the chambers.

Abstract: An oscillating hauloff device for removing blown film from an extruding apparatus. The oscillating hauloff includes a stacked ring arrangement which provides a compact and stable structure. The turning bars and idler rolls are encompassed in the ring structure and are arranged to cancel effects of web wandering and wrinkling. A method for making the oscillating hauloff, including CNC machining of annealed ring-shaped weldments, that is economical and simple to manufacture. The turning bars are provided with reinforcements that prevent deflection of the turning bars during use. Further the turning bars are provided with flow restricted outlets and axially extending channels to supply uniform air pressure to float the blown film on the turning bars. A specific arrangement for providing utility services to the oscillating hauloff is also disclosed which employs torsional deflection of the loads during rotation of the rings.