Abstract:
A body protecting device for wearing by a user comprising an array of energy absorbing cells, wherein each cell comprises a tube, and wherein substantially each tube has a side wall which is near or adjacent to the side wall of at least another tube, and wherein substantially each tube is configured such that the orientation of the tube is substantially maintained when a load is applied parallel to the axis of the tube.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of producing reinforced, formed fabrics, consisting in producing a continuous fabric alternated with a membrane (34) containing embedded reinforcing elements, which is prepared in overlapping portions on a conveyor belt (29) which passes over a preparation table (25). The membrane (34) and the reinforcing elements are then positioned under a press consisting of an upper air-filled chamber (1), the lower part thereof comprising a flexible element (4), and a lower water-filled chamber (14), the upper part thereof comprising a flexible element (17). According to the invention, a forming bar (10) is adjustably mounted in the upper chamber (1). When the aforementioned forming bar (10) is adjusted to adopt a particular shape, the different flexible elements can deform at the forming bar and the membrane and the reinforcing elements are hot pressed with a portion corresponding to the forming bar having a three dimensional shape, thereby defining the form of the fabric produced.
Abstract:
A tool for manufacturing a part made of a sheet of thermoplastic material comprises a female die and a male die. The female die has a cavity, whose wall has a bottom portion and a top portion. The male die has a backing structure, a support attached to the backing structure and a heat-resistant bladder. The bladder has an inlet for connection with a source of compressed fluid. The support is used to support the bladder. The male die further comprises a base attached to the bladder. The base is deformable so as to enter the cavity of the female die. The bladder is adapted to apply a pressure substantially perpendicular to the cavity wall. The base is adapted and positioned to deform the thermoplastic sheet upon entering the cavity by making the thermoplastic sheet first contact the bottom portion of the wall. The bladder expends while applying a pressure on the thermoplastic sheet against the wall from the bottom portion to the top portion. A method of manufacturing a part made of a sheet of thermoplastic material comprises the step of applying pressure on the thermoplastic sheet against a wall of a female die from a bottom of the female die to a splitting line of the female die by inflating a deformable portion of a male die. A composite part comprises a sheet of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and a sheet of non-reinforced thermoplastic material attached together. Both sheets are deformed substantially differently along different axes.
Abstract:
Process of making a plastic component (1), in particular luggage shell, from self-reinforced thermoplastic material, to a plastic component (1) made of self-reinforced thermoplastic material and an apparatus for making such a plastic component, in particular luggage shell (7). The invention provides a new product and process for manufacturing same on the basis of self-reinforced thermoplastic material by means of the step of tensioning said material (lamina), at least partially tensioning said lamina during all follow-up component shaping and/or molding steps up to a release of a component pre-form shape from the remainder lamina, to form the component. The present invention allow the manufacturing of an ultra-light weight luggage shell (7) on the basis of using self-reinforced thermoplastic material, the manufacturing of same can be further enhanced by permanently tensioning said material during all manufacturing steps up to the final finishing of the product.
Abstract:
The technical problem of this invention is to establish a method of processing a synthetic resin tube, in which the shape of a part of the tube wall is changed to form easily an attractively hollowed and/or raised portion in a fairly wide area of the tube wall. The object of this invention is to provide a tubular container having excellent decorativeness, appearance, or functionality that has never been found before. A method of processing a synthetic resin tube comprises utilizing a mandrel having a mold portion, which has at least a shape selected from a hollowed shape, a raised shape, and a hollowed and raised shape formed in a part of outer surface of the mandrel, and which is also provided with small through-holes in this mold portion; inserting a bottomed cylindrical mandrel into a synthetic resin tube, while bringing the inner wall of the tube in contact with the mandrel; heating and softening the tube in the portion facing the mold portion; deaerating the tube via a central opening and the through-holes to mold the softened portion of the tube in a manner similar to vacuum molding; and forming in the tube wall at least one of the portions selected from a hollowed portion, a raised portion, and a hollowed and raised portion.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for molding thermoformable sheet material is set forth. The method includes the steps of providing a conventional stamp type mold, one section of which provides a compliant mold member which is augmented by diaphragm. The diaphragm coacts with the compliant member during a molding phase to ensure dimensional uniformity in the molded article. Further, tight or detailed areas are easily molded by making use of the compliant and diaphragm members. In a further embodiment, tension adjusting is achieved during molding by a series of discrete tension members. The tension members cooperate with the compliant and diaphragm members to significantly improve dimensional uniformity and prevent wrinkling in the molded article.
Abstract:
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, a linear stitching design having improved definition, is embossed onto the surface of a hot, formable plastic sheet and then coated in one operation. The improved definition is achieved by employing a restrained elastomeric anvil to support the sheet during the embossing operation. The elastomeric anvil provides a relatively uniform distribution of pressure on the sheet during the embossing step and urges the sheet into intimate contact with the recessed features on the embossing die surface. Once the sheet is formed but before the embossing die and anvil surface are separated, paint is injected through passages in the embossing die onto the surface of the thermoplastic sheet. The paint is injected under sufficient pressure to force the thermoplastic sheet, which is supported by the elastomeric anvil, away from the die surface; this provides the necessary space to allow the paint to flow onto specified areas of the sheet.