A fiber preform for use in a resin transfer molding or liquid composite molding process and process of making the same are provided. The preform includes a substrate, a fiber bundle arranged on the substrate in a predetermined pattern and attached to the substrate by a plurality of stitches of a thread. The fiber preform is capable of being pre-formed into a three-dimensional shape. The fiber preform along with a sheet of preformed thermoset resin that impregnates at least a portion of the fiber preform forms a composite material. The fiber preform reinforces areas of stress concentration of a core to form a vehicle component.

It is described a capsule (10) for dispensing a beverage comprising: a main body (20) suitable for containing a product (P) to be dispensed, which comprises a bottom (22) and a side wall (24), extending from said bottom (22) and ending with an edge (26); a closing member (30) suitable for sealably closing said main body (20); and at least one first valve means (40) suitable for allowing the beverage to come out from the capsule (10) or for allowing a liquid to enter into the capsule (10). The main body (20) is made from cellulose pulp, the closing member (30) is made from biocompatible material and the capsule (10) further comprises a first sealing film made from edible material comprising at least one salt of alginic acid (23) and positioned inside said bottom (22) of the main body (20) at least at said at least one first valve means (40). It is also described a method for manufacturing a capsule for dispensing a beverage, as defined above.

It is described a capsule (10) for dispensing a beverage comprising: a main body (20) suitable for containing a product (P) to be dispensed, which comprises a bottom (22) and a side wall (24), extending from said bottom (22) and ending with an edge (26); a closing member (30) suitable for sealably closing said main body (20); and at least one first valve means (40) suitable for allowing the beverage to come out from the capsule (10) or for allowing a liquid to enter into the capsule (10). The main body (20) is made from cellulose pulp, the closing member (30) is made from biocompatible material and the capsule (10) further comprises a first sealing film made from edible material comprising at least one salt of alginic acid (23) and positioned inside said bottom (22) of the main body (20) at least at said at least one first valve means (40). It is also described a method for manufacturing a capsule for dispensing a beverage, as defined above.

A laminate includes reinforcing fibers, thermosetting resin (B) or thermoplastic resin (D), wherein adhesion with other members, particularly in high-temperature atmospheres, is outstanding. The laminate includes: a porous substrate (C) comprising a thermoplastic resin (c), reinforcing fibers (A) and a thermosetting resin (B), or a porous substrate (C) comprising a thermoplastic resin (c), reinforcing fibers (A) and a thermoplastic resin (D); wherein the porous substrate (C) has a gap part continuous in the thickness direction of the laminate, and the melting point or softening point is higher than 180° C., and at least 10% of the surface area of one surface of the porous substrate (C) is exposed on one side of the laminate.

A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

A method for bending towpreg to yield a desired amount of axial force during bending to form a preform is provided including inserting towpreg into a bending die, applying an initial axial force to the towpreg, and moving the gripped end of the towpreg in an involute path using a cam, a cam follower and a gripper, the gripper disposed on the cam follower. Axial force between the gripped end and the stationary end of the towpreg from a point where the towpreg contacts a surface of the bending die is applied tangent to the surface of the bending die while bending the towpreg. An apparatus for bending towpreg to form a preform is provided including bending dies disposed in fixed positions, and a follower. Axial involute cam mechanism having a drive shaft, a cam, a cam follower that follows an involute path around the cam, a gripper and a clamp.

An injection mold of a plastic preform includes first, second and third parts, the third part having a molding cavity defining an axis and adapted to be fixed to a first surface of a mold frame; the second part between the first and third parts slides along the axis to close or open the cavity. The first part includes a rod that slides along the axis through a second surface of the frame. The second part includes: a guiding cage through which the longitudinal rod can slide; a structure; and parallel guiding rods extending to the structure; an assembly sliding inside the cage; and a punch sliding inside the structure and defining a first complementary component of the cavity;
wherein the structure defines, together with the punch, a cam system for opening or closing two half-collars which define, when closed, a second complementary component of the cavity.

An injection mold of a plastic preform includes first, second and third parts, the third part having a molding cavity defining an axis and adapted to be fixed to a first surface of a mold frame; the second part between the first and third parts slides along the axis to close or open the cavity. The first part includes a rod that slides along the axis through a second surface of the frame. The second part includes: a guiding cage through which the longitudinal rod can slide; a structure; and parallel guiding rods extending to the structure; an assembly sliding inside the cage; and a punch sliding inside the structure and defining a first complementary component of the cavity;
wherein the structure defines, together with the punch, a cam system for opening or closing two half-collars which define, when closed, a second complementary component of the cavity.

A manufacturing process and the semi-finished product of thermoplastic material obtained therefrom, for obtaining products with aesthetic patterns which can be perceived in semitransparency also in depth is disclosed. The process includes: (i) producing at least two initial elements of thermoplastic material with even but different aesthetic patterns, having a different concentration of the dominating coloring, at least the dominating coloring being of the bleeding type in the specific thermoplastic material; (ii) shaping the two initial elements into strips or loaves being of a submultiple width, not below ⅕ of a characteristic dimension of the desired finished product; (iii) inserting at least two of the strips or loaves having different concentration of the dominating coloring, into a workform, arranging them side by side according to a direction of side-by-side arrangement; and (iv) undergoing pressure and heat to allow the melting and hardening of the thermoplastic material into a single body.

A manufacturing process and the semi-finished product of thermoplastic material obtained therefrom, for obtaining products with aesthetic patterns which can be perceived in semitransparency also in depth is disclosed. The process includes: (i) producing at least two initial elements of thermoplastic material with even but different aesthetic patterns, having a different concentration of the dominating coloring, at least the dominating coloring being of the bleeding type in the specific thermoplastic material; (ii) shaping the two initial elements into strips or loaves being of a submultiple width, not below ⅕ of a characteristic dimension of the desired finished product; (iii) inserting at least two of the strips or loaves having different concentration of the dominating coloring, into a workform, arranging them side by side according to a direction of side-by-side arrangement; and (iv) undergoing pressure and heat to allow the melting and hardening of the thermoplastic material into a single body.