A frame is injection molded onto a group of panels to form a container. The panels extend at least partially around, and at least partially define, a cavity of the container.

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.

Methods of using and repairing seal caps as well as constructions comprising seal caps, including in some embodiments seal caps which may be useful in sealing fasteners that protrude into fuel storage cells in aircraft. In some embodiments, methods include the use of optically translucent seal cap and application of a second quantity of sealant to fill voids observed within the interior of the seal cap after cure of a first quantity of sealant.

A method and apparatus for the formation of double-walled containers with the structure of two integrally connected and adjacent containers extending in the same direction with an air gap between them, stretch-blow moulded as single bodies out of thermoplastic material, and suitable for mass-production. A thermoplastic tubular blank is formed and then heat-conditioned. The heat-conditioned tubular blank is then mechanically stretched longitudinally and blow-formed outwards by gas pressure to conformingly and stretchingly assume the tubular blank to the shape of a first dual-container shaped mould cavity set in order to form a stretch-blow moulded first container integrally connected to a second container, with both containers extending in opposite directions. Next, additional heat-conditioning is applied to further heat-condition as necessary the stretch-blow moulded second container and if deemed an advantage, at least part of the first container. Then at least one profiled inversion piston shaped as a male mould member with an outer surface configuration that defines the inner surface configuration of the article being formed and a second container shaped mould cavity set with a single-container shaped configuration are provided along with one or more wall stability devices which are applied to at least part of the wall surface(s) of either or both of the two integrally connected stretch-blow moulded containers, such that the second smaller container side wall(s) are at least substantially not in contact with the second container shaped mould cavity set and may be inverted at least partially inside-out, while at the same time the second smaller container bottom wall at least substantially does not invert, in order for the second smaller container to become a substantially mirror-image inverted second smaller container extending in the same direction as, and interior to, the first container.

A method for producing a thermoformed product on a single machine with several stations and with different tools includes the following steps: (a) melting and homogenizing plastic granules and providing the plastic melt at a preform station; (b) producing a preform at the preform station in a preform cavity; (c) transferring the preform by a transfer carrier to a thermoforming station at the same machine, the thermoforming station having a thermoforming tool having a thermoforming cavity; (d) preferably heating the preform during the transfer; (e) thermoforming of the thermoformed product in the thermoforming cavity. Advantageously, the final thermoformed product is produced directly from the plastic granules using only a single machine, and in particular without any waste, when the preform is dimensioned in such a way that it does not present any excess with respect to the final shape of the product to be produced.

A fibrous vehicle underbody shield and method for manufacturing the same is provided. A binderless core of non-woven fibrous material defines first and second surfaces of the fibrous vehicle underbody shield. The second surface of the fibrous vehicle underbody is opposite the first surface such that the first and second surfaces are separated by a final product thickness. The first and second surfaces include at least one molded contour that gives the first and second surfaces a non-planar shape. The non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core includes a plurality of fibers that are mechanically entangled with each other and have a coating that withstands a heat exposure of 200 degrees Celsius. The fibrous vehicle underbody shield includes a latex impregnation. The latex impregnation is disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces and penetrates the non-woven fibrous material of the binderless core an impregnation distance.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to compressed gas storage units, which in certain applications may be employed in conjunction with energy storage systems. Some embodiments may comprise one or more blow-molded polymer shells, formed for example from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Embodiments of compressed gas storage units may be composite in nature, for example comprising carbon fiber filament(s) wound with a resin over a liner. A compressed gas storage unit may further include a heat exchanger element comprising a heat pipe or apparatus configured to introduce liquid directly into the storage unit for heat exchange with the compressed gas present therein.

The present invention relates to a thermoplastic hose, consisting of a flexible hose body (12; 212; 312; 612) and at least one reinforcing element (14; 214; 314; 614), which is arranged helically on the external face of the hose body (12; 212; 312; 612), wherein the at least one reinforcing element (14; 214; 314; 614) is made of an extruded material and is rigidly joined to the external face of the hose body (12; 212; 312; 612) by means of a fusion bond, wherein the hose body (12; 212; 312; 612) is an extruded hose body (12; 212; 312; 612). The invention also relates to a device and a method for producing such a hose.

A method of forming a retaining device with hooks, wherein: a molding strip is provided that presents an inside face and an outside face, and that has a plurality of cavities, each cavity defining a stem extending from the outside face towards the inside face and including an end forming a head that extends from the stem towards the inside face of the molding strip; the molding strip is positioned on rotary drive means, the inside face of the molding strip being arranged to bear against the drive means; and molding material is dispensed against the outside face of the molding strip.

A method of manufacturing a fuel tank includes: passing a hollow molten resin projection, that projects-out in a wall-thickness direction and is formed at a molten resin sheet that becomes a tank structural member structuring a tank main body, through a mounting hole of a part-to-be-mounted that is placed on the molten resin sheet; and pressurizing the molten resin projection from an inner side, and causing at least a portion of the molten resin projection to jut-out to a peripheral portion of the mounting hole of the part-to-be-mounted.