A method of and apparatus for fluffing a cleaning article. The cleaning article has a layer of tow fibers and a layer of sheet material, joined together in a layered construction. The apparatus and process spray a fluid blast onto the article, disrupting the tow fibers. The fluid may be air and causes different fibers to react so as to increase the volume of the cleaning article.

An annealing method according to the present invention is an annealing method of annealing a molded body (1) which is molded from a molding material in a molding step, and the method includes the steps of: (I) releasing stress from the molded body (1) by heating the molded body (1); and (II) correcting a warp of the molded body (1), by simultaneously heating the molded body (1) and applying a load to the molded body (1). This achieves an annealing method which makes it possible to obtain a molded body that is free from residual stress and distortion.

The invention relates to a mold for manufacturing a plastic part, including a first element and a second element forming, in the closed position of the mold, a cavity corresponding to the part to be manufactured, in which the second element includes at least one system for making molding openings in said part, said system including at least one member forming a cavity of an opening for the finished part, said member being movable relative to the second element in the closing direction of the mold, between a retracted position and an position extending into the cavity. The system includes at least one positioning means for positioning the member in the extended position relative to the first element, said system being sized such that, in the extended position of the member, the distance between a surface of the member bearing on the plastic material and the first element enables the formation of a thin layer of plastic material having a repeatable thickness.

A method of preparing a polymer film having an oriented dispersed material includes casting a multi-layer polymer solution having a first polymer solution layer and a second polymer solution layer where the second polymer solution layer is at least partially immiscible with the first polymer solution layer. The method further includes passing the multi-layer polymer solution through an electric field application zone, to thereby induce orientation of the dispersed material. A multi-layer polymer film can then be formed by drying the solvent from the multi-layer polymer solution. An apparatus for preparing polymer films includes a top electrode made from a flexible metal mesh coated with a non-stick, non-conductive coating.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

Methods and systems are provided for aging a new plastic fuel tank in a vehicle. In one example, during a plug-in event to recharge a battery of the vehicle, the fuel tank is isolated and the fuel pump is actuated to agitate fuel within the tank and increase fuel vapors until the plastic fuel tank becomes aged to a predetermined degree by fuel vapors generated therein. In this manner, the fuel tank is aged more rapidly, resulting in more accurate fuel level readings and less noise and vibration.

Disclosed is a method for unpacking a component 11, produced by means of an additive manufacturing process, from a particulate material fill 9 of loose, unconsolidated particulate material, which is arranged together with the component 11 in a construction space 5 and surrounds the component 11. In order to unpack the component 11, the particulate material fill 9 surrounding the component 11 is transferred into a fluidized bed, so that the loose, unconsolidated particulate material is fluidized, and the fluidized, unconsolidated particulate material is drained downward off the construction space 5. In addition, a device for use in the method is described.

A tire repairing apparatus includes: a tire support portion rotatably supporting a pneumatic tire; and an application mechanism configured to apply an additive that has a softening effect, to a tread portion of the pneumatic tire supported by the tire support portion, thereby causing the additive to permeate into the tread portion

To improve the range of application of manufacturing methods for fiber-reinforced polymer or metal hybrid composite components, and preferably to enable the introduction of fiber bundles into a larger number of geometries, such as branches, merging points and intersections, a production method for producing a component including a composite material with a fiber reinforcement which is formed from fiber bundles and resin is disclosed. A component body with tube-like cavities is initially provided. Curable resin is introduced into the cavities. A pulling apparatus for the fiber bundles is also inserted into at least one of the cavities. The pulling apparatus includes at least one pulling member suitable for pulling the fiber bundles and transmitting compressive force. As a result of pulling of the pulling member, the fiber bundles are pulled into the cavities.

To improve the range of application of manufacturing methods for fiber-reinforced polymer or metal hybrid composite components, and preferably to enable the introduction of fiber bundles into a larger number of geometries, such as branches, merging points and intersections, a production method for producing a component including a composite material with a fiber reinforcement which is formed from fiber bundles and resin is disclosed. A component body with tube-like cavities is initially provided. Curable resin is introduced into the cavities. A pulling apparatus for the fiber bundles is also inserted into at least one of the cavities. The pulling apparatus includes at least one pulling member suitable for pulling the fiber bundles and transmitting compressive force. As a result of pulling of the pulling member, the fiber bundles are pulled into the cavities.