Abstract: Disclosed is a plastic trim reclaim process that recycles otherwise wasted trim into for reuse or densified composite bricks for resale. The device combines four sections to process trim scrap from a typical plastic extrusion process. The four sections comprise an input and feed section, a grinding and pre-sizing section, a compaction and sizing section, and a repelletizing and recovery section. The final product takes one of two forms: a compacted plastic brick or pellet-sized beads that can be directly reused in a new extrusion process. The compaction and sizing section utilizes a heating chamber and ram to force ground trim through an extruder, which is then cut into sections to form brick. The repelletizing and recovery section utilizes an extrusion process that feeds into a cutting plate, whereafter the sized pellets are cooled to solidify their structure prior to being vacuum transported into a container for reuse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mold for thermoforming food pots having a decoration, and to an associated method, the mold (1) being in the form of a plate in the thickness of which at least one cell (2) for thermoforming a pot is formed, characterized in that it comprises an element (3) with an effusivity less than that of the mold, which is arranged on at least a part of the peripheral wall (21) of the cell, the said part being intended to be in contact with an overlap zone of the decoration.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and apparatus for cooling a mold in a compression or injection molding assembly, thereby enabling increased cycling speed and efficiency. Embodiments include a coolant flow path that transports a fluid coolant into and out of a cooling ring around the molding assembly's core. The coolant flow path may divide into several channels within the cooling ring. The coolant flow path may also include a series of stages with varying volumes or cross sectional areas designed to regulate the flow of coolant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing goods for consumption, consisting of a fat mass, in particular a fat mass containing cocoa or a chocolate-type fat mass, said goods contains a large number of hollow moulds (1a, 1b) that can be filled with the fat mass (M) when the latter has been heated and is in a free-flowing state, the moulds being configured as depressions in a mould block (1). The inner surface of each hollow mould (1a, 1b) shell-shaped goods for consumption that are to be produced. The device also comprises a plurality of die-type cooling bodies (3a, 3b), which are displaceably mounted on a suspension device (4), a respective cooling body (3a, 3b) being lowered into a respective hollow mould (1a or 1b) and the outer surface of the respective cooling body (3a, 3b) determining the inner surface of the shell-shaped goods for consumption (M) that are to be produced.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for curing a part includes a wheeled frame having sliding part supports that move the part from a loading position to a curing position. A part clamping assembly is slidably mounted on the frame to apply clamping pressure to the part when the part is in the curing position in order to compact the part during a cure cycle. The clamping assembly includes a set of electrically heated shoes that heat the part to a cure temperature. A fan is provided to accelerate cool down the part after curing is complete. The heating and cooling operations are automatically performed by a programmed controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool for forming an article in a molding operation has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material, with a particulate material bonded to the body. The body provides a forming surface for forming the article. The particulate material, or the particulate material and the tool body collectively provide a duct for conveying a fluid for transfer of heat with the forming surface. In another embodiment, the tool has a tool body formed from a non-particulate material with a cavity and the particulate material is disposed within the cavity. A heat transfer material is disposed in the cavity bonding the particulate material to the tool body. Methods for manufacturing such tools are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for saving energy in an extrusion line comprising at least one extruder, an extrusion tool, a cooling section, and an outlet, energy being applied in the form of heat to a plastic for plasticization at least in the extruder, in order to produce a profile (8), and the heat being removed again from the profile (8) after a forming process, at least in the cooling section, in order to achieve shape stability of the same. According to the invention, at least one part of the removed heat is converted to mechanical energy and fed hack into the extrusion process. The invention further relates to a corresponding device.

Abstract: A method and a plant for twin-sheet thermoforming of fuel tanks; first and second sheets (SA, SB) of thermoformable plastic material, are separately fed along respective processing lines (10A, 10B). The sheets (SA, SB) are heated and gripped along their peripheral edges by a pneumatically actuate suction and vacuum holding device (15A, 15B), for supporting the heated sheets (SA, SB) in a substantially flat condition while they are moved towards a respective thermoforming station (16A, 16B). Both the molds (17A, 17B) are disposed side by side with their open cavity facing upwards. After thermoforming of the plastic sheets (SA, SB), one of the molds (17B) is turned upside down onto the other mold (17A), to overlap and weld superimposed sealing areas of the two thermoformed shells (GA, GB). Cooling of the molds and thermoformed tank may be performed on a side of the processing lines (10A, 10B).

Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a densified surface layer on a thermoplastic blanket. The apparatus includes first and second continuous belts, a treatment zone defined between those belts, first and second heating and densifying units and a cooler downstream from the heating and densifying units. The method includes the steps of continuously forming a densified surface layer on a face of a thermoplastic blanket and making the thermoplastic blanket with the densified surface layer to a desired thickness within strict dimensional tolerances. A densified thermoplastic blanket product is also disclosed.

Abstract: An internally label-sticking mold includes an outer mold and an inner mold. The outer mold has an interior hollow for containing a shaped material and the inner mold, and the inner mold has an interior hollow for containing a label therein. Thus, when the outer mold with the shaped material placed in its interior hollow is combined with the inner mold with the label placed in its interior hollow for blowing and molding a plastic product, the shaped material becomes a finished plastic product stuck with a label integral.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention continuously produces a suction cupped sheet of a predetermined width having a number of suction cups molded on a resin sheet. The apparatus has an endless track including an upper conveying path and includes a drawing mechanism. A thermoplastic soft resin is extruded sequentially into a train of molds conveyed along the conveying path. The extruded resin solidifies and forms a suction cupped sheet. The drawing mechanism draws the suction cupped sheet from the molds near the end point of the conveying path.

Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.

Abstract: A heat treatment roll 2 is provided for continuously cooling or heating a treated object such as a resin sheet 5, which is used in an extrusion molded sheet manufacturing apparatus or the like.

Abstract: The apparatus for connecting objects by means of a plastically deformable connecting body comprises a shaping punch (4), a flow-restricting wall (5) closely surrounding the shaping punch and a gas supply lead (6) through which a gaseous medium can be introduced into the gap between the shaping punch (4) and the flow-restricting means (5). The shaping punch (4) has a heating cartridge (8) by means of which the lower end of the shaping punch can be heated. Provided on the outside of this shaping punch are heat-transfer ribs (9) which are used to heat up the supplied, gaseous medium which emerges at the lower end of the flow-restricting means in order to produce a flow around a plastically deformable connecting body (3), so that the latter is uniformly heated for the deforming process. The connecting body (3) is also integrally formed on a part (2) and reaches through a hole in a second part (1) which is to be connected to the first part.

Abstract: A continuous forming method and device for an H-shaped FRP member for forming semi-hardened preimpregnated members produced by impregnating thermosetting resin to carbon fiber or glass fiber and the like into a predetermined H-shape. The forming device comprises of a device for mounting a plural number of bobbins having strip-shaped preimpregnated material spooled thereto, providing tension when pulling the impregnated material out from the bobbin. The device the shapes the preimpregnated material to a predetermined H-shape that feeds release films from four sides of upper, lower, left and right. The device then provides heat and pressure to the preimpregnated material from said four sides with a heating furnace for after-curing the preimpregnated material. The device then hauls and holds the preimpregnated material for cutting the cured product.

Abstract: A combination book binding machine with a plastic coil forming machine, whereby a plastic spiral coil is formed at a first raised temperature, then cut to a length sufficient for the plastic spiral coil to bind a book, cooled and then advanced toward a receiving coil conveyor of a coil binding machine, for binding the book with a plastic coil at the lowered cooled temperature. The binding machine and method for spirally binding a sheaf of papers into a book uses an adjustable speed drive to rotate the cooled flexible plastic spiral coil into respective holes in the book. The book has a plurality of holes in a row adjacent one edge of the book to receive the leading edge of the plastic spiral binding coils. A cylindrically shaped mandrel is spaced apart from a glidable block. The plastic pre-formed spiral binding coil is fed onto the mandrel from the distal end thereof, with the leading edge of the binding element facing and spaced apart from the book.

Abstract: The apparatus for connecting objects by means of a plastically deformable connecting body comprises a shaping punch (4), a flow-restricting wall (5) closely surrounding the shaping punch and a gas supply lead (6) through which a gaseous medium can be introduced into the gap between the shaping punch (4) and the flow-restricting means (5). The shaping punch (4) has a heating cartridge (8) by means of which the lower end of the shaping punch can be heated. Provided on the outside of this shaping punch are heat-transfer ribs (9) which are used to heat up the supplied, gaseous medium which emerges at the lower end of the flow-restricting means in order to produce a flow around a plastically deformable connecting body (3), so that the latter is uniformly heated for the deforming process. The connecting body (3) is also integrally formed on a part (2) and reaches through a hole in a second part (1) which is to be connected to the first part.

Abstract: In order to provide a mold of a shape which has been designed to take into account the deformation occurring during the cooling process, the mold cavity is formed so that the external volume of a molded product obtained by blow molding in this cavity ultimately shrinks by a prescribed percentage of the volume of the mold cavity, and so that in the region of maximum shrinkage the external size of the body portion of the molded product shrinks by a prescribed percentage of the size of the corresponding portion of the mold cavity.

Abstract: In order to provide a mold of a shape which has been designed to take into account the deformation occurring during the cooling process, the mold cavity is formed so that the difference between the maximum and minimum shrinkage of the external size of the body portion of the molded product relative to the size of the mold cavity has a prescribed value.

Abstract: A method for bonding a tube into an article, each of which is formed from a thermoplastic polymer, especially an aliphatic polyamide. The article has a plurality of channels into which tubes are placed in sliding engagement. The article is moved towards a heating block having pins, such that a pin is inserted into each tube. The article and heating block are brought into a juxtaposed position such that the polymer of the tubes melts and forms a coating on said article. The method is particularly useful in the formation of tubed heat exchangers, for example with 100-300 or more tubes, in one cycle.

Abstract: A method of making a seat (10) includes preassembling the seat by positioning a seat cover (26) over a contoured foam substrate (18) with a layer of heat activated adhesive (24) between the seat cover and the foam substrate. Securing the seat preassembly (10') in a fixture (106) and introducing heating fluid into the fixture to pressurize a flexible bladder (156) against the seat. The pressurized bladder urges the seat cover against the contoured foam substrate and heats the adhesive layer. Next, cooling fluid is introduced into the fixture to pressurize the flexible bladder against the seat, and the pressurized bladder urges the seat cover against the contoured foam substrate and cools the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article including: (a) projecting a sheet-holding member from a cavity face of a lower mold towards a cavity face of an upper mold, (b) placing a heated fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin sheet on the sheet-holding member, (c) closing the upper and lower molds, (d) in the step of closing the upper and lower molds, putting the sheet-holding member into the lower mold before the cavity face of the upper mold contacts with the resin sheet, (e) maintaining the upper and lower molds in a closed state, and (f) opening the upper and lower molds and removing the molded article. A fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin molded article which has a good surface appearance and, if any, whose protrusions such as ribs and bosses are sufficiently filled with thermoplastic resin and reinforcing fibers, can be produced, without using an additional thermoplastic resin sheet and without repeating the molding process.

Abstract: A method for producing a pultrusion product having a variable cross-section using a specially adapted temperature controllable pultrusion die includes the steps of pulling reinforcing fibers which have been impregnated with a heat curable thermosetting polymeric resin composition through a temperature controllable die, heating the temperature controllable die to a temperature sufficient to effect curing of the thermosetting resin, cooling the temperature controllable die to a temperature which is sufficiently low to prevent any significant curing of thermosetting resin passing through the pultrusion die, pulling the cured material and a predetermined length of uncured material from the die, reshaping the uncured material, and curing the reshaped material. The reshaping step can be used to provide off-sets, flanges, bosses and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for forming glass articles from molten glass involving differentially cooling a plunger for press forming glass articles in a cooperative forming mold. More specifically, the method involves introducing cooling fluid into an inlet cooling cavity located in the upper portion of the plunger and causing the cooling fluid to flow from the inlet cooling cavity into a cooling passage located along the periphery of the nose portion and thereafter to flow into a outlet cooling cavity located in the upper portion of the plunger and thereafter exhausting the spent cooling fluid from the plunger.

Abstract: At a first station 202, flexible material 204 is deformed into a predetermined configuration defined by a mould recess 210. This configuration corresponds to the internal configuration of one of two housing parts 136, 138, situated at a second station 206. The deformed region of the flexible material 204 is advanced to the second station and secured between the housing parts 136, 138, to form a flexible partition within the container so formed.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: A high vacuum hot press for producing a multi-layer board. The high vacuum hot press includes a pair of heat insulating members each comprising a heat insulating material and a thin metallic cover defining an evacuated hermetic space accommodating therein the heat insulating material. The heat insulating members are arranged on respective surfaces, facing each other on a pair of bolsters. A pair of hot plates are placed on the heat insulating members, respectively. A multi-layer workpiece is disposed between the hot plates in a sealed space in a sealing unit. The multi-layer work includes wafers and an adhesive base material. The sealed space is evacuated to a high vacuum by an evacuating unit, and the multi-layer workpiece is heated by a heating unit under a high vacuum.

Abstract: Blow molding and thermoforming processes in which a mold system having low thermal inertia mold-halves provided with heating and cooling systems is utilized for producing plastic articles coated with surface-upgrading films of high melting polymers or polymers exhibiting a high scratch resistance to improve mechanical characteristics of the molded article. The films may be positioned, before the mold is closed, close to the low thermal inertia mold-halves. Rapid heating and rapid cooling of the mold-halves in contact with the surface-upgraded films permit strength adhesion of the upgrading material to the surface of the molded article.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for step-molding elongated work pieces, such as generator components. A heated press includes a cooling box attached thereto, separated by a thermal insulating gasket. As a first portion of the work piece is being heat cured, a second portion extending adjacent the heated press is placed within the cooling box to prevent its being cured from residual heat of the press. After the first portion has been cured, the second portion is sequentially placed within the heated press. In this manner, the entire elongated work piece is cured and inadvertent "bumps" in the cured work piece are prevented to form the component to its desired shape.

Abstract: One method of forming a workpiece made of thermoformable material includes the steps of: (a) supporting a raw workpiece on a suspension tray; (b) moving a pair of relatively hot forming dies into position above the workpiece; (c) closing the hot forming dies against the workpiece to heat the workpiece and to form and shape the workpiece into the desired configuration; (d) opening the hot forming dies and removing the hot forming dies away from the workpiece; (e) moving a pair of relatively cold forming dies into position above and below the workpiece; (f) closing the cold forming dies against the workpiece to cool the workpiece while maintaining the workpiece in the desired configuration; and, (g) opening the cold forming dies and removing the finished workpiece form the suspension tray. Other methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of continuous moulded bodies from structures of reinforcing fibres impregnated with thermoplastic plastics, wherein a structure of reinforcing fibres is passed through a melt of the thermoplastic at a pressure of 1 to 800 bar for a length of at least 300 mm and a device for carrying out the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for flaring the end of a thermoplastic liner installed in a metal pipe. The end extends beyond the pipe and the pipe having at least one flange mounted thereon. The apparatus includes a first forming head having a liner contacting surface disposed at an acute angle relative to said liner, said surface being adapted to be pushed against said end to cause said end to flare outwardly about an acute angle and a second forming head having a liner contacting surface being disposed at an angle of at least ninety degrees relative to said liner. The second forming head is adapted to be pushed against said end to cause said end to bend into contact with said flange.

Abstract: Bristle articles can be manufactured in that the bristle carrier and optionally the ends of the bristles are melted and brought together under pressure, or the bristles are introduced into an injection or foaming mould for the bristle carrier and are embedded in the bristle carrier material by injection moulding or foaming. The cycle time of these processes is extremely long as a result of the thermal processes (heating, melting, injection moulding, cooling). It is possible to significantly reduce the same in that the tools for holding or producing the bristle carrier on the one hand and the clamping devices for the bristles on the other are moved on closed paths and the clamping devices at at least one common station are transferred to the path of the tools and at least during the thermal processes are jointly moved with the tools and are subsequently returned to their movement path.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for molding an article of footwear having an outer sole, a lateral sole and an inner sole, the outer and lateral soles being of an elastomer, and the inner sole being of a thermoplastic or a mixture of isocyanate and a polyol reacting into polyurethane. The outer sole and the inner sole are each injection molded from an elastomer and bonded at their common contact zone by full vulcanization. The outer sole and the lateral sole may each be of different elastomers. The outer sole and the inner sole are bonded together in the area of their contact zone via chemical bonds between the isocyanate and reactive end-groups of substances added to the elastomer.

Abstract: A cooling fluid path formed in a calibrating tool body member includes a plurality of parallel openings extending within the body member from one side of the body member. The one side of the body member includes a slot interconnecting the parallel openings. A plate member covers the one side of the body member to close the slot to form a fluid path. A plurality of baffle members, each positioned from the plate member and across the slot and within one of the openings partially along the length of the opening, forms a serpentine fluid path back and forth within each opening on both sides of the baffle and between adjacent openings within the slot.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the vulcanization of the insulation of an electric cable in which the cable core with the insulation thereon are passed through a tube filled with a liquid having a specific weight substantially equal to the specific weight of the insulation. The section of the tube nearer the entrance end is supplied with degassed liquid at vulcanizing temperature and the following section is supplied with degassed liquid at a temperature for cooling the insulation, and because the liquid has different viscosities at the two temperatures, a liquid interface is produced between the two portions which interface is maintained during the vulcanizing of the insulation. During the vulcanizing of the insulation, a portion of the liquid in at least one section is removed and treated to remove vulcanization products.

Abstract: An extruder system includes a barrel surrounded by a jacket defining a plurality of zones. Other zones may be in the feed screw and downstream processes. A temperature control unit has a hot water circuit and a cold water circuit each with supply and return manifolds and valves which allow connection of each of the zones to receive either hot or cold water. Each circuit has a single heat exchanger which is used to heat or cool all the water circulating in the respective circuit. The two circuits may be interconnected by a heat pump so that waste heat from the cooling circuit is used by the heating circuit. In this case the heat exchangers become auxiliary. The system permits optimum energy reuse from heated areas to cooled areas, or vice versa, and minimizes additional energy requirements.

Abstract: Long lengths of a heat-shrinkable sleeve for use in splicing electrical cables and the like are made in a continuous process. The sleeve is formed around a permeable core, and the core and sleeve are advanced together in an axial direction, the leading end of the advancing sleeve being hermetically sealed. The core and sleeve pass through a heating station, thereby heating a portion of at least the sleeve, and a fluid is introduced under pressure into the core, thereby internally pressurizing the sleeve to effect a radial expansion of the heated portion thereof. The core and sleeve then pass through a cooling station, thereby cooling the expanded sleeve to stabilize it. A stress graded compound also for use in splicing electrical cables and the like is made by heating a dimethyl silicone liquid to remove entrapped gas and mixing the liquid with a silicone carbide powder having a particle size capable of passing through a 400 mesh screen.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for fabricating insulated cables, particularly polymeric insulated electrical power cables, resistant to the formation and growth of electrochemical trees is disclosed. Internal pressure on the conductor side of the cable is maintained lower than the external pressure on the outer surface of the insulation during extrusion. Extrusion pressure higher than the external pressure results in expansion of the insulation following extrusion. This expansion or swelling reduces the number and size of cracks and voids which are precursors of electrochemical trees. In addition, pressure curing the extruded, insulated cable with a curing medium above its melting point followed by gradual gradient cooling under internal pressure and higher external cooling fluid pressure to around room temperature optimizes the resistance of the cable to nucleation and growth of electrochemical trees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for bonding two pieces of thermoplastic material to one another. The method includes the steps of heating the edges of the plastic materials to be joined to at least their fusing temperatures and then forcing the heated edge portions against one another to thereby form a bonded junction. A bead is formed along at least one edge of the junction of the plastic materials as a result of the pressure of the two plastic materials bearing against one another. The welded junction is heated, optionally at elevated pressure, to at least its fusion temperature and is then rapidly cooled. The resulting weld has a high impact and dielectric strength and has a smooth overall appearance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing the socket portion of a plastics pipe provided with a sealing ring by pushing said sealing ring on a mandrel and by locking it thereto whereupon the heated end of said plastics pipe is pushed onto said mandrel and said sealing ring. Hereafter, the locking of said sealing ring is released, and the pipe and the ring therein a removed from the mandrel.In order to facilitate this removal operation, a mandrel having an adjustable diameter is used, the mantle surface of said mandrel being provided with peripheral grooves into which shoulders in said sealing ring fit for locking said ring to said mandrel for the duration of the socket forming.

Abstract: A material web impregnated with a settable synthetic resin travels in vertical direction, from the bottom towards the top, through a first heat treatment zone where the solvent of the synthetic resin or plastic is evaporated and there occurs a chemical reaction. The tacky material web departing from the first heat or thermal treatment zone then passes through a cooling zone where it is cooled by means of a cooling medium to such a degree that it does not stick to the deflection or diverting rolls over which the material web subsequently is guided. After deflection of the material web the latter is moved in vertical direction downwardly through a second heat treatment zone where the chemical reaction proceeds. Prior to winding-up of the material web the latter is further cooled.

Abstract: A plurality of reinforced plastic parts are simultaneously molded from separate bundles of resin impregnated strands wound about individual frame sections of a substantially planar frame assembly. A loading station includes a dual-acting elongated carrier engaging the multi-sectioned frame assembly and initially rotatable to wind the bundle of strands thereon. Subsequent reciprocation of the carrier delivers the wound frame assembly to a molding station provided with a plurality of mating pairs of molded sections and having displaceable frame supporting and bundle clamping assemblies for engaging the wound frame assembly and severing opposite ends of the bundles as the mold sections close within the individual frame sections.

Abstract: A ridge remover for smoothing and shaping rod surfaces where jointure marks occur in fibrous rod manufacture when made using a porous belt garniture device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lattice structure having a plurality of elongated parallel elements interconnected periodically by integrally formed ribs therebetween and a plurality of elongated filaments, each of which is embedded in and adhered to one of the elongated parallel elements. The structure is constructed by a method which includes the steps of molding the lattice structure from film or laminate belts, heating the filaments above the melting temperature of the molded lattice structure, joining the heated elements with the structure and solidifying the lattice structure adjacent each filament.

Abstract: A method for forming mirror assemblies, especially rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles, wherein a thermoplastic mirror case is held inverted with its side wall portions extending downwardly. The side wall portions are softened by immersion in a heated bath and are pressed into a forming die which supports a reflective mirror element to form an arcuate mirror element retaining lip about the peripheral edges of the mirror element. Apparatus for performing the method includes an indexing table which sequentially moves the cases and mirror elements loaded thereon to one position, removes the cases from the table, combines them with the mirror elements via the forming die, and returns the completed assemblies to the table.

Abstract: A fibre felt forming die assembly and method employ a mandrel having an external forming surface, an outer die extending around the mandrel and having an internal forming surface spaced from the mandrel external forming surface to define a gap for the advance of a felt therebetween. A heater is provided for heating the mandrel to thereby heat and at least partially cure the felt at and adjacent a surface of the felt facing the mandrel as the felt passes through the gap, and hot gas is then discharged through the entire thickness of the felt to further cure the felt. To counteract deposition of bonding material from the felt on the mandrel, an arrangement is provided for cooling the felt prior to the heating of the felt by the mandrel, so that the felt undergoes a rapid temperature transition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for insulating a plurality of electrically conductive elements and to produce electrical cable where the method includes heating the unformed insulative material and conductive elements, applying pressure and simultaneously removing heat with a pair of rollers at a relatively low temperature and applying pressure and heat to preselected regions only of the insulative material. The method and apparatus further allow preselected portions of the cable to be unbonded so as to facilitate access to the conductive elements by simply interrupting the application of pressure to the preselected portions. The heat, press and cool and press and bond method may also be accomplished in a step and repeat process using presses to insulative flexible circuits. The above method and apparatus provide more reliable bonding at an accelerated rate of production.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a composite article including an inflatable center adapted to retain a predetermined shape covered with a covering of molded material and preferably an inflatable composite article such as a game ball with a covering of more uniform thickness. Surfaces of complementary elements of a mold are adapted to define, when the mold is closed, a molding cavity corresponding to the outer surface of a desired composite article. Said surfaces are electrostatically sprayed with a molding material to form a layer of molding material over said surfaces. Preferably, electrostatic spraying is performed while heating the mold preferably to a temperature above 135.degree.C. and most desirably between 150.degree. and 190.degree.C. An inflatable center is then inserted into the mold and the mold is closed to define the molding cavity with the inflatable center therein.