A process for producing a polymeric stiffened sheet-like component, for example a panel, for aircraft construction. Production includes integration of hollow stiffening profiles, for example closed omega stringers, onto a sheet-like component, for example an external skin, where the stringers and external skin are produced from thermoplastic composite material. The stringers are integrated onto the external skin by establishing contact between the stringers and the external skin and melting thermoplastic composite material with exposure to heat and pressure at the areas of contact between external skin and stringers. Melting of the other sections of the stringers is avoided with a pressurized cooling fluid with a temperature significantly below the melting point of thermoplastic composite material, the fluid flowing through the airtight enclosed space in the stringers. Use of closed airtight thermoplastic omega stringers allows integration of the stringers onto the external skin in absence of any flexible tube within the stringers.

A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

A vacuum port base comprises an upper face, a lower face, a first channel, and a second channel. The upper face is configured to interface with a vacuum port. The lower face is configured to interface with a surface of a tool. The first channel formed in the lower face is configured to receive an edge breather. The second channel formed within the vacuum port base is configured to receive the vacuum port such that the vacuum port is in fluid communication with the first channel and the edge breather to remove gases from a composite structure.

Mould for making a support element for the human body, such as a bicycle saddle or a motorcycle saddle, wherein the mould includes a first component or matrix, which it is provided with a cavity open at the top, and at least one second component or false-male, in which the second component or false-male has a through opening, the cavity of the first component or matrix and the through opening of the second component or false-male determine a cavity, which has a conformation in use matching the conformation and/or the bulk and/o to the outer surface of the support element for the human body or the saddle; method for obtaining the support element for the human body and support element for the human body.

Mould for making a support element for the human body, such as a bicycle saddle or a motorcycle saddle, wherein the mould includes a first component or matrix, which it is provided with a cavity open at the top, and at least one second component or false-male, in which the second component or false-male has a through opening, the cavity of the first component or matrix and the through opening of the second component or false-male determine a cavity, which has a conformation in use matching the conformation and/or the bulk and/o to the outer surface of the support element for the human body or the saddle; method for obtaining the support element for the human body and support element for the human body.

A process for manufacturing a plastic tank for a motor vehicle. The process includes inserting at least one stiffening profile into a shell mould having walls. The at least one stiffening profile is configured to minimise undesirable deformation of the plastic tank. The process also includes applying a negative pressure to simultaneously maintain a position of each stiffening profile in the shell mould, form a tank wall by facilitating flow of plastic material onto the walls of the shell mould, and form a form-fitting connection between the tank wall and each stiffening profile by facilitating flow of the plastic material around the stiffening profile.

A method of manufacture of a carbon fiber article comprises providing a preform mold having a region that is shaped to compliment a shape of a preform part that is to be produced the surface being provided with at least one bore or groove that is connected to at least one conduit that passes through the mold to a manifold, laying a sheet of release material onto the surface covering at least some of the plurality of holes, applying reduced pressure to the manifold to cause the sheet to be sucked down onto the mold surface, laying carbon fiber material into the mold on top of the sheet of release material, applying an increase pressure to the manifold to push the preform free from the mold surface, and removing the preform from the mold.

A method of manufacture of a carbon fiber article comprises providing a preform mold having a region that is shaped to compliment a shape of a preform part that is to be produced the surface being provided with at least one bore or groove that is connected to at least one conduit that passes through the mold to a manifold, laying a sheet of release material onto the surface covering at least some of the plurality of holes, applying reduced pressure to the manifold to cause the sheet to be sucked down onto the mold surface, laying carbon fiber material into the mold on top of the sheet of release material, applying an increase pressure to the manifold to push the preform free from the mold surface, and removing the preform from the mold.

An article of footwear has an upper that is direct attached with the sole in a article of footwear mold. The sole has a film extending up sidewalls of the sole to a film edge that is prior to the sidewall and the upper joining. Method of manufacture of the article of footwear includes steps of positioning a film over a mold cavity and then securing the film to the mold. The film is heated and then drawn into the mold cavity under a vacuum. The film forms a liner of the mold cavity. A foam composition is injected into the lined mold cavity. As the foam composition expands, the foam composition interacts with and mechanically engages with the upper that is poisoned at the mold cavity to allow for the mechanical engagement that results in the direct attach of the sole to the upper.

Mould for making a support element for the human body, such as a bicycle saddle or a motorcycle saddle, wherein the mould includes a first component or matrix, which is provided with a cavity open at the top, and at least one second component or false-male, in which the second component or false-male has a through opening, the cavity of the first component or matrix and the through opening of the second component or false-male determine a cavity, which has a conformation in use matching the conformation and/or the bulk and/or to the outer surface of the support element for the human body or the saddle; method for obtaining the support element for the human body and support element for the human body.