A tubular body (1) made of a fiber-reinforced plastic and used as a structural material of a vehicle includes corners (4) extending along an axis of the tubular body (1) on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The tubular body (1) is a tubular laminate that is formed by laminating a fabric layer (12) formed by laminating fabric materials and unidirectional material layers (11, 13). Each fabric material includes a fabric in which reinforcing fibers are woven and a plastic with which the fabric is impregnated. Each unidirectional material layer (11, 13) includes reinforcing fibers oriented in one direction and a plastic with which the reinforcing fibers are impregnated. The reinforcing fibers of each unidirectional material layer (11, 13) are oriented along the axis of the tubular laminate. The unidirectional material layers (11, 13) include an outer unidirectional material layer (13) laminated on an outer circumferential surface of the fabric layer (12), and an inner unidirectional material layer (11) laminated on an inner circumferential surface of the fabric layer.

An article enclosing at least one built-in fitment component in the form of a hollow body of thermoplastic material. The hollow body is preferably in the form of a fuel tank. The built-in fitment component is pressed against the inside wall of the article while still plastic so that the plastic material of the hollow body penetrates through at least one recess or opening of the built-in fitment component and flows therebehind.

An object of the invention is to provide a blow-molded foam which has homogeneous foamed cells in size, is light in weight, and is excellent in surface smoothness, and a process for producing the same. The invention is directed to a blow-molded foam 1 having a wall portion formed in such a manner that a thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent mixed therewith is subjected to blow molding. Herein, the wall portion has a closed cell structure in which a plurality of foamed cells are contained. The wall portion has an expansion ratio of not less than 2.0 times. The wall portion has an outer face having a center-line average surface roughness Ra of less than 9.0 m. The foamed cell has a cell diameter having a standard deviation of less than 40 m in a thickness direction of the wall portion.

While naturally suctioning air between a first thermoplastic resin sheet (20) and a second thermoplastic resin sheet (21) from a fluid passage (23) formed in a first thermoplastic resin sheet (20), the first thermoplastic resin sheet (20) is subjected to vacuum-molding by a first vacuum molding die (2), a first shaping section is formed in the first thermoplastic resin sheet (20) by a molded section (5) of the first vacuum molding die (2), the second thermoplastic resin sheet (21) is subjected to vacuum-molding by a second vacuum molding die (3), a second shaping section is formed in the second thermoplastic resin sheet (21) by the molded section (11) of the second vacuum molding die (3), and a hollow section (300) is defined between the first thermoplastic resin sheet (20) and the second thermoplastic resin sheet (21) by the first shaping section and the second shaping section.

An injection molding apparatus is used for making parts having a hollow portion that is disposed under an angle relative to an axis. The molded parts are ejected when a movable stripper plate is displaced relative to the mold core used to cool the angled portion of the molded part. The stripper plate includes cooling channels and a cooling outlet. The cooling outlet is coupled to a cooling inlet of a movable cooling slider element. Leakage of a cooling fluid is prevented by using a sealing device and sealing elements between the cooling slider and a cooling manifold retaining the mold cores when the stripper plate is used during the ejection of the molded parts from the mold cores.

A system combining a machine for blow-molding articles with a universal in-mold labeling apparatus. The apparatus has a frame on which turntables are mounted. Each turntable has an air rotary union, facilitating rotation of the respective turntable, and suction cups adapted to pick, hold, and release labels. The turntables deliver labels to the open molds of the machine. The apparatus also has a vertical slide positioned between the turntables. A placement head engages the turntables and moves up the vertical slide to a position in the open molds. At least one label magazine is affixed to the frame and retains the labels. Strategically placed air valves provide air and vacuum to pick, hold, and release labels. A human machine interface facilitates communication between an operator of the system and the system. Finally, a control system is provided to allow the operator to program and control both the machine and apparatus.

A method of measuring the thickness of a fiber texture wound on an impregnation mandrel for fabricating an annular structural part of a turbine engine out of composite material, the method including, prior to winding the fiber texture, acquiring a reference distance between an outside surface of the impregnation mandrel and a distance sensor positioned facing the outside surface of the impregnation mandrel, while winding the fiber texture, acquiring at least one real distance between the distance sensor and the outside surface of the fiber texture wound on the impregnation mandrel, and calculating the real thickness of the fiber texture wound on the impregnation mandrel by subtracting the real distance from the reference distance.

A method of sealing a peelable lid (2) to a flange (4) provided within a metal can body (1) which involves inserting an induction coil (6) into the can body to primarily heat the sealing surface (5) of the flange, while keeping the exterior wall of the can relatively cool to avoid tin reflow and decoration degradation of the exterior wall. The induction coil is subsequently removed from the can body and a peelable lid applied to the flange, whereby residual heat in the flange aids the sealing of the lid to the flange, e.g. by allowing activation of a bonding material.

A flow cell and a method for connecting components of a microfluidic flow cell, in particular for integrating component parts into a carrier structure of the flow cell, in which a gap is formed between the components to be connected. The gap is filled with a solvent. The material of at least one component bordering the gap dissolves in the solvent and the material completely fills the width of the gap and partially fills the height thereof after evaporation of the solvent.

A laminate is provided comprising at least one polysulfone and/or polyethersulfone porous membrane heat bonded to a polyvinylidene fluoride substrate.