Continuous compression molding machines (CCMMs) and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The CCMMs include a mold, a heat zone heating structure, a consolidation zone heating structure, and a stress relaxation zone heating structure. The CCMMs also include a press structure, a demold structure, and a supply structure. The methods include providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM) that includes a thermoplastic material to a CCMM. During the providing, the methods also include heating the TMCM within a heat zone of the CCMM, cooling and consolidating the TMCM within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, relaxing stress within the TMCM within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, demolding the TMCM within a demold zone of the CCMM at a mold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, and periodically compressing the TMCM.

Continuous compression molding machines (CCMMs) and methods of continuous compression molding a consolidated thermoplastic matrix composite material are disclosed herein. The CCMMs include a mold, a heat zone heating structure, a consolidation zone heating structure, and a stress relaxation zone heating structure. The CCMMs also include a press structure, a demold structure, and a supply structure. The methods include providing a thermoplastic matrix composite material (TMCM) that includes a thermoplastic material to a CCMM. During the providing, the methods also include heating the TMCM within a heat zone of the CCMM, cooling and consolidating the TMCM within a consolidation zone of the CCMM, relaxing stress within the TMCM within a stress relaxation zone of the CCMM, demolding the TMCM within a demold zone of the CCMM at a mold temperature that is greater than a glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic material, and periodically compressing the TMCM.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.

A method for producing starch soft capsules comprises the following steps: preparing a mixture comprising starch, plasticizer and water, wherein more than 50 weight percent of the starch is present in the form of particles of granular starch; shaping the mixture to form a film in a shaping process; solidifying the mixture by increasing the temperature of the mixture during and/or after the shaping process by more than 5° C.; and shaping the film to form a soft capsule. Soft capsules produced by this method have starch particles bonded to one another. A device for performing this method comprises a shaping device to enable shaping of the starch material to form a film, and a heating device to perform a heat treatment to destructure the starch during and/or after the shaping. It comprises a rotary die device.

A method for producing starch soft capsules comprises the following steps: preparing a mixture comprising starch, plasticizer and water, wherein more than 50 weight percent of the starch is present in the form of particles of granular starch; shaping the mixture to form a film in a shaping process; solidifying the mixture by increasing the temperature of the mixture during and/or after the shaping process by more than 5° C.; and shaping the film to form a soft capsule. Soft capsules produced by this method have starch particles bonded to one another. A device for performing this method comprises a shaping device to enable shaping of the starch material to form a film, and a heating device to perform a heat treatment to destructure the starch during and/or after the shaping. It comprises a rotary die device.

An insulation board assembly, having: a foam insulation board; a top facer attached onto a top side of the foam insulation board, the top facer being made of woven material; and a bottom facer attached onto a bottom side of the foam insulation board, the bottom facer being made of woven material. The top and bottom woven facers may have upper and lower coatings and non-woven layers on either side and woven and non-woven layers may be held together with a tie layer.

An insulation board assembly, having: a foam insulation board; a top facer attached onto a top side of the foam insulation board, the top facer being made of woven material; and a bottom facer attached onto a bottom side of the foam insulation board, the bottom facer being made of woven material. The top and bottom woven facers may have upper and lower coatings and non-woven layers on either side and woven and non-woven layers may be held together with a tie layer.

A method for producing a separator plate, where thermoplastic polymer material and a powder of electro-conductive filler, ECF is kneaded at a kneading temperature above a glass transition temperature for the thermoplastic polymer material but below a melting temperature for the thermoplastic polymer material in order to provide a malleable but not molten compound and for causing fibrillization in the thermoplastic polymer material prior to hot-compacting the sheet in a press-form to form a separator plate. A production facility for practicing the method is also disclosed.

A method for producing a separator plate, where thermoplastic polymer material and a powder of electro-conductive filler, ECF is kneaded at a kneading temperature above a glass transition temperature for the thermoplastic polymer material but below a melting temperature for the thermoplastic polymer material in order to provide a malleable but not molten compound and for causing fibrillization in the thermoplastic polymer material prior to hot-compacting the sheet in a press-form to form a separator plate. A production facility for practicing the method is also disclosed.