A method includes forming a first layer of a disk, the first layer comprising a first material and forming a second layer of the disk by depositing a second material on the first layer. The method further includes irradiating at least the second layer of the disk to cross-link the second material. The first material has a higher melting point than the second material, and the dual-layer disk is configured to be thermoformed into an oral appliance.

A method includes forming a first layer of a disk, the first layer comprising a first material and forming a second layer of the disk by depositing a second material on the first layer. The method further includes irradiating at least the second layer of the disk to cross-link the second material. The first material has a higher melting point than the second material, and the dual-layer disk is configured to be thermoformed into an oral appliance.

A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration

A method of forming a fibre article, comprising: providing a former having a contoured forming surface; locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the second diaphragm being offset from the forming surface; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; displacing the diaphragms relative to the former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration

A thermoforming composite with a thermoforming base layer having a first principal surface and an opposing second principal surface; a thermoforming stringer having a base part and an elongated protruding part, wherein the base part is attached to the first principal surface to enclose an elongated hollow part between the first principal surface and the protruding part; and an elongated flexible hollow tube core inserted into the elongated hollow part. During consolidation or curing of the thermoforming base layer and the thermoforming stringer, the hollow tube core is pressurized by a first pressure so that the elongated flexible hollow tube core expands to essentially the same shape as the thermoforming stringer, a second pressure is a uniform pressure exerted to the second principal surface, and the first pressure is essentially equal to a second pressure.

A thermoforming composite with a thermoforming base layer having a first principal surface and an opposing second principal surface; a thermoforming stringer having a base part and an elongated protruding part, wherein the base part is attached to the first principal surface to enclose an elongated hollow part between the first principal surface and the protruding part; and an elongated flexible hollow tube core inserted into the elongated hollow part. During consolidation or curing of the thermoforming base layer and the thermoforming stringer, the hollow tube core is pressurized by a first pressure so that the elongated flexible hollow tube core expands to essentially the same shape as the thermoforming stringer, a second pressure is a uniform pressure exerted to the second principal surface, and the first pressure is essentially equal to a second pressure.

A coating apparatus including a displacement unit configured to displace a first continuous structure and a second continuous structure, and a work to be coated, relative to each other, such that a film is brought into contact with the work to be coated by a plurality of first contact members and a plurality of second contact members.

A coating apparatus including a displacement unit configured to displace a first continuous structure and a second continuous structure, and a work to be coated, relative to each other, such that a film is brought into contact with the work to be coated by a plurality of first contact members and a plurality of second contact members.

A coating apparatus including: a first gripping unit configured to grip a leading end of a film; a first moving unit configured to be capable of moving the first gripping unit in a first direction in which the film is conveyed above a work to be coated and a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a displacement unit configured to displace the first gripping unit and the work to be coated relative to each other such that the film comes into contact with the work to be coated, wherein after the film and the work to be coated start to come into contact, before full contact is made, the first gripping unit moves in the second direction.

A coating apparatus including: a first gripping unit configured to grip a leading end of a film; a first moving unit configured to be capable of moving the first gripping unit in a first direction in which the film is conveyed above a work to be coated and a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a displacement unit configured to displace the first gripping unit and the work to be coated relative to each other such that the film comes into contact with the work to be coated, wherein after the film and the work to be coated start to come into contact, before full contact is made, the first gripping unit moves in the second direction.