A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.

A preform is biaxially stretch blow molded into a container by using a liquid as a pressurizing medium. The preform is formed in a bottomed tubular shape including a mouth, a trunk, and a bottom by extrusion blow molding. The preform includes bottom parting lines, which are formed in the bottom due to the extrusion blow molding, and the bottom parting lines are configured to extend to the outer side from the axis of the bottom to divide the bottom into at least three parts in the circumferential direction. Further, a container is formed by biaxially stretch blow molding the preform by using the liquid as the pressurizing medium.

A preform is biaxially stretch blow molded into a container by using a liquid as a pressurizing medium. The preform is formed in a bottomed tubular shape including a mouth, a trunk, and a bottom by extrusion blow molding. The preform includes bottom parting lines, which are formed in the bottom due to the extrusion blow molding, and the bottom parting lines are configured to extend to the outer side from the axis of the bottom to divide the bottom into at least three parts in the circumferential direction. Further, a container is formed by biaxially stretch blow molding the preform by using the liquid as the pressurizing medium.

Provided are a process and an apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin tape, the process and the apparatus being capable of preventing fiber cut from occurring at the start of production of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin tape. The provided process includes a resin impregnation step of opening a fiber bundle and impregnating the fiber bundle with molten thermoplastic resin and a through-nozzle passing step of passing the fiber bundle having undergone the resin impregnation step through a slit formed in a nozzle. The through-nozzle passing step includes setting, at the start of production, a gap dimension of the slit to a dimension larger than a normal dimension and changing the gap dimension of the slit to the normal dimension when a predetermined condition is satisfied, after the production start.

Provided are a process and an apparatus for producing a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin tape, the process and the apparatus being capable of preventing fiber cut from occurring at the start of production of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic resin tape. The provided process includes a resin impregnation step of opening a fiber bundle and impregnating the fiber bundle with molten thermoplastic resin and a through-nozzle passing step of passing the fiber bundle having undergone the resin impregnation step through a slit formed in a nozzle. The through-nozzle passing step includes setting, at the start of production, a gap dimension of the slit to a dimension larger than a normal dimension and changing the gap dimension of the slit to the normal dimension when a predetermined condition is satisfied, after the production start.

Provided are: a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin having an excellent β crystal-forming effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin containing the nucleating agent; a polyolefin resin masterbatch; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded article of the composition; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and a package. The nucleating agent contains a compound represented by Formula (1) below wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or the like; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer of 1 to 3; ax=2b is satisfied; and Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below wherein * represents a position at which each group is linked with Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R.sub.1 to R.sub.10 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like.

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Provided are: a nucleating agent for a polyolefin resin having an excellent β crystal-forming effect; a nucleating agent composition for a polyolefin resin containing the nucleating agent; a polyolefin resin masterbatch; a polyolefin resin composition; a molded article of the composition; a film of the composition; a method of producing a porous film; and a package. The nucleating agent contains a compound represented by Formula (1) below wherein M represents a monovalent to trivalent metal atom having a specific gravity of 4.0 or less, or the like; a represents 1 or 2; b represents 1 or 3; x represents an integer of 1 to 3; ax=2b is satisfied; and Z represents a group represented by Formula (2) or (3) below wherein * represents a position at which each group is linked with Z of Formula (1); Y represents a direct bond or an alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R.sub.1 to R.sub.10 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like.

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A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic container may include locally heating a middle zone of a thermoplastic tube; gripping the tube on either side by using retaining members; pulling the tube apart, causing a middle zone to narrow; pushing the inner wall of the middle zone against each other to obtain a closure; and cutting through the closed-off middle zone to obtain two separate tubular parts. Further is provided a system for pulling apart a tube, the system may include a first retaining member which is provided for insertion into the first zone via the first end and a second retaining member provided for insertion into the second zone via the second end, each retaining member being adjustable between a first position in which the retaining member fits inside the tube and a second position in which, in use, the retaining member exerts a pressure on the inner wall of the tube.

A stiffening element comprises a tension and compression member, a shear member, an attachment member, and a plurality of beads. The tension and compression member is positioned spaced apart from the skin and configured to bear tension or compression forces that stiffen the skin and prevent the skin from buckling or bending. The shear member is connected to the tension and compression member and configured to bear shear forces between the skin and the tension and compression member. The attachment member is connected to the shear member and is configured to connect to the skin. The beads each create out-of-plane feature that is positioned in at least one of the shear member and the attachment member. The beads permit the stiffening element be reshaped to adjust a longitudinal curvature of the stiffening element.