A component comprises a hollow component having a plurality of prepreg layers, where each prepreg layer includes a graphene-resin mixture comprising a resin and a graphene preparation evenly disposed throughout the resin. The component further includes a fiber cloth impregnated with the graphene-resin mixture. The plurality of prepreg layers are applied and pressed together in alternate layers of graphene-resin mixture and fiber cloth to form the hollow component.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing volume element (10) which is inflatable with a gas, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one first tube element (12) which comprises at least one first tube (1, 4) which is inflatable with the gas and is formed by at least two layers which are arranged one above the other, are formed from a per se limp material, and are connected with each other along at least one first seam (16d, 36); and providing at least one second tube element (14, 15) which comprises at least one second tube (5, 8) which is inflatable with the gas and is formed by at least two layers which are arranged one above the other, are formed from a per se limp material, and are connected with each other along at least one second seam (18d, 38), wherein the tube elements (12, 14) are provided in such a way that the seams (16d, 18d, 36, 38) are arranged on mutually facing sides of the tube elements (12, 14) and have, at least in respective length portions (40), curvatures that are different from each other.

The present invention relates to, in a first aspect, a surfing device including a surfing device body comprised of polymer bead foam being substantially formed from at least one polymer selected from a single polymer class, and at least one at least one performance enhancing component at least partially embedded within, or integral with, the surfing device body, the at least one performance enhancing component being substantially formed from polymers selected from the single polymer class. Further aspects of the invention, directed to a performance enhancing component and to a method of forming a surfing device body, are also disclosed.

In one example, a method includes positioning a tool in a mold, forming a parison of melted plastic, closing the mold around the parison and tool such that part of the tool is positioned between a portion of the mold and the parison, creating a blow molded structure by inflating the parison so that the melted plastic comes into contact with an interior portion of the mold and into contact with the tool, and after the mold is closed, operating the tool to form an integral compression molded element within the mold, and a parting line formed by the mold in the blow molded structure forms no part of the integral compression molded element.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. In a first aspect, the flow rate of the first viscous material is caused to vary over time in order to vary an amount of the first viscous material in the stream. In a second aspect, which may be used alone or in combination with the first aspect, the first and second viscous materials have distinct viscosities to reduce an amount of color blending between the first color and the second color in the stream of combined viscous material. A static mixer may then be used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the static mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extrudable material may be created using such process and used in the manufacturing of many different products including for example kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.

Described herein are structural waterproof films comprising a composite of at least one wool sheet, the wool sheet being at least partially impregnated with a hardening resin that, when hardened, is rigid or semi-rigid and is substantially water impermeable. The films described introduce organic materials into, among many applications, water craft design plus the films described offer a useful alternative to traditional non-organic fibreglass construction.

Watercraft Fin The present invention relates to a fin for a watercraft with a flexible spine. The fin has a substantially planar member having a first side surface, a leading edge, a second side surface, a trailing edge, with the leading and trailing edges intersecting at a fin tip. At least one flexible spine having an elongate body with a first end spaced apart from a second end. Each flexible spine is molded from a composition of fibres and resin using a continuous molding process. The at least one flexible spine is bonded to be fixed between the first and second side surfaces of the fin. The number, placement and size of the at least one flexible spine provides the fin with a customised dynamic flex pattern and strength.

In at least some embodiments, the invention is directed to a watercraft that includes a buoyant core, an upper shell bonded to the core and a lower shell bonded to the core, wherein at least one of the upper shell and the lower shell includes a plurality of bonded shell material layers, and wherein the plurality of shell material layers include a polycarbonate-based material layer and an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-based material layer.

In at least some embodiments, the invention is directed to a watercraft that includes a buoyant core, an upper shell bonded to the core and a lower shell bonded to the core, wherein at least one of the upper shell and the lower shell includes a plurality of bonded shell material layers, and wherein the plurality of shell material layers include a polycarbonate-based material layer and an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-based material layer.

An additional chamber to watercraft that adds both volume and curvature to other compartments or components of the watercraft that are essentially flat is described. The additional chamber provides for modular construction of watercraft for creating volumetric space as well as a curved surface to the outer portion of the watercraft. The chamber advantageously increases the aesthetic appeal of the watercraft as well as provides a surface on which water is discouraged from pooling or collecting on. Various watercrafts having such a chamber are also described.