Compression molded foam articles are provided having a closed cell foam structure comprising a plurality of cells having an anisotropic cell shape. The disclosed compression molded foam articles can be used as components or parts of a variety of articles, including articles of footwear and athletic equipment. Methods are disclosed for making the disclosed compression molded foam articles from a foamed preform having an elastomeric closed cell foam with substantially isotropic cell shape. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Compaction systems and methods of compacting components are provided. In one aspect, a laminate of a component can be laid up on a tool of a compaction system. The laminate defines a cavity. A noodle is positioned relative to or in the cavity. A noodle ring is then positioned relative to the noodle. For instance, the noodle ring can be placed over the noodle. A cross section of the noodle ring can be shaped complementary to a cross section of the noodle. A plunger of the compaction system is moved so that it engages the noodle ring. Particularly, the plunger is moved in such a way that a force is applied on the noodle ring so that the noodle ring compacts the noodle into the cavity.

Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing heating elements for vehicle interior materials, which includes forming a base part having the same shape as a curved surface of a subject, forming an electrode part on an upper surface of the base part, and stacking a heating part on upper surfaces of the base part and electrode part. Accordingly, the heating element is manufactured in advance to have the same shape as the curved surface of the subject and then adhered to the subject so that the heating element is overlapped on and pressed against the subject without deformation. Thus, it is possible to make overall temperature distribution uniform and improve product quality.

A method and system reprocess soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. In one aspect the soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance of the manure to a holding tank. In another aspect the bedding is cleaned, rinsed and color is restored. The bedding material is subsequently dried and a bedding product, fertilizer product, and/or compacted product is formed. Alternatively, the bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product. In yet another aspect, the steps of separation, cleaning, rinsing and/or color restoration may be omitted.

Methods and structures are disclosed. An example method includes: rotating a tubular mandrel about a longitudinal axis of the tubular mandrel; depositing a composite material on an inner surface of the tubular mandrel to form a composite tubular member on the inner surface of the tubular mandrel; inserting and expanding an inner expandable mandrel within the composite tubular member to cause the inner expandable mandrel to press the composite tubular member against the inner surface of the tubular mandrel; curing the composite tubular member; removing the inner expandable mandrel; placing a frame within the composite tubular member; and removing the tubular mandrel so as to obtain the composite tubular member with the frame placed therein.

A method for producing carbon fiber reinforced resin molded article of the present invention includes press-molding a mixture-made body including carbon fiber and thermoplastic resin to produce the article that is composed of CFRP. The method further includes perforating pores into the mixture-made body, before press-molding mentioned above. As, in perforating, at least the pores are formed so as to penetrate through a hardened part of a surface of the mixture-made body, the article made of the CFRP that does not have poor appearance, such as whitening or marble pattern, can be produced.

A rotary compression-molding machine includes an upper punch-retaining portion disposed above a table including die bores and retaining an upper punch, a dust-proofing device including a sealing case including a bottom wall that includes an insertion bore penetrated by the upper punch and faces a downward surface of the upper punch-retaining portion, and an outer wall facing an outer surface of the upper punch-retaining portion, and supported by the upper punch-retaining portion, and an expandable dust cover attached to be in contact with a downward surface of the bottom wall of the sealing case and covering a circumferential edge of the insertion bore and an outer circumference of the upper punch, and air passages disposed between the outer wall of the sealing case and the outer surface of the upper punch-retaining portion.

A rotary compression-molding machine includes an upper punch-retaining portion disposed above a table including die bores and retaining an upper punch, a dust-proofing device including a sealing case including a bottom wall that includes an insertion bore penetrated by the upper punch and faces a downward surface of the upper punch-retaining portion, and an outer wall facing an outer surface of the upper punch-retaining portion, and supported by the upper punch-retaining portion, and an expandable dust cover attached to be in contact with a downward surface of the bottom wall of the sealing case and covering a circumferential edge of the insertion bore and an outer circumference of the upper punch, and air passages disposed between the outer wall of the sealing case and the outer surface of the upper punch-retaining portion.

A composite material having physical characteristics equivalent to particle board materials bonded with resin-based adhesives that contain formaldehyde-urea is formed of reclaimed textile debris comprising fabric scraps and a latex based binder. The binder includes natural rubber latex, sulfur, an anti-oxidant agent and pH adjustment substances. The binder may also include selected amounts of zinc oxide, zinc diethyldithiocarbamate and a stabilizer. Production of the composite material includes mixing the constituents and vulcanization through the application of heat and compression. Cold compression is subsequently applied.

A method of manufacturing a unitary energy absorbing structure for a vehicle includes providing a first mold having a cavity receiving a first mandrel and a second mold having a cavity receiving a second mandrel. At least one mandrel segment is positioned in the first mold cavity and cooperates with the first mandrel. One or more layers of composite material at least partially cover the first mold cavity, first mandrel, at least one mandrel segment and second mold. The unitary structure is formed from the first layer, the second layer and the third layer of composite material with the first mandrel, the at least one mandrel segment and the second mandrel in the first mold and the second mold.