In an example method, a NWM molding blank, including a non-woven material held in compression by a binder, is placed in a separable mold, and heated to a melting temperature of the binder. The molding blank expands, forming as an intermediate NWM object a NWM molded object with a 3D geometric form. The intermediate NWM object is cooled through a temperature band with an upper boundary and a lower boundary, and further cooled to a solidifying temperature of the binder. The upper boundary is above the solidifying temperature and the upper boundary is lower than the binder melting temperature. While in the temperature band, the mold is separated, rendering accessible an exposed surface of the intermediate NWM object. The object is then transported to a contoured forming surface of a forming base, by an actuatable arm having an end effector gripping the exposed surface via vacuum suction, lifting the object from the mold and placing the object on the contoured forming surface. Optionally, the end effector contact surface includes a final forming feature. The actuatable arm compresses the intermediate NWM object against the contoured forming surface, and the optional end effector final forming feature and continues compressing until cooling to the solidifying temperature.

The forming apparatus comprises a feed path for continuously feeding a continuous tow material along a transport direction, a forming device connected to a downstream end of the feed path and adapted to form the continuous tow material into a continuous tubular rod. The forming device comprises a tubular element adapted to allow the continuous tow material to pass through the tubular element to form the continuous tubular rod and a steam generator adapted to generate overheated steam. The steam generator is in fluid connection with the tubular element to provide overheated steam to the continuous tow material. The forming device further comprises several fluid conduits to provide overheated steam from the steam generator to several injection sites arranged along a length of the tubular element, wherein at least one fluid conduit of the several fluid conduits comprises a temperature control unit including a temperature sensor and a temperature influencer.

The present invention provides a process for modifying the surface of a polyvinyl alcohol film or fabric by applying heat and pressure to the film or fabric to increase the moisture on the surface which is held by the fabric and to coalesce the surface fibers and reduce the porosity of the surface.

A molding process includes the operation of placing insulation material comprising fibers and binder on the fibers in a mold cavity. The molding process further includes the step of transferring heat to the insulation material to cause the binder to cure.

A cooling method is for a steam heating type autoclave molding apparatus. The autoclave molding apparatus includes: a cylindrical vessel in which a vacuum bag containing a composite material composed of a fibrous base material and a matrix and a molding tool is to be placed; a steam supply unit configured to supply steam at a predetermined temperature into the cylindrical vessel; a steam release unit configured to release the steam used for molding the composite material from the cylindrical vessel; and a cooling water supply unit configured to supply cooling water for cooling the molded composite material. The cooling method includes: releasing the steam through the steam release unit to cool the molded composite material; and then spraying the cooling water supplied from the cooling water supply unit to cool the molded composite material.

The present application relates to a polymer film and a method for producing a polarizing plate. The present application can provide a polymer film satisfying optical and mechanical durability required in a polarizing plate effectively and capable of forming a polarizing plate without causing bending when applied to a display device, and a method for producing a polarizing plate to which the polymer film is applied. The present application can provide a polymer film capable of realizing the required optical and mechanical durability without causing bending even in a polarizing plate applied to a thin display device and/or a thin polarizing plate, and a method for producing a polarizing plate to which the polymer film is applied.

The present invention provides a process for modifying the surface of a polyvinyl alcohol film or fabric by applying heat and pressure to the film or fabric to increase the moisture on the surface which is held by the fabric and to coalesce the surface fibers and reduce the porosity of the surface.

The forming apparatus comprises a forming device with a tubular element adapted to form continuous tow material into a continuous tubular rod. The forming device comprises a fluid compressor for generating pressurized fluid, the fluid compressor being in fluid connection with the tubular element to provide pressurized fluid to the continuous tubular rod to heat or cool the continuous tubular rod. The forming device further comprises several fluid conduits to provide pressurized fluid from the fluid compressor to several injection sites arranged along the transport path, wherein at least two fluid conduits of the several fluid conduits comprise a pressure control unit including a pressure sensor and a pressure influencer.

Damage of the outer surface of a rubber hose due to friction can be prevented while the sealing performance and the productivity are ensured. The following components are provided: a pipe 11 whose one end is connected to a vulcanization pipe and in which pressed liquid is pumped from an inlet 11a disposed at the side face of the other end side; an annular member 12 which is attached to the pipe 11 so as to close an opening of the other end side of the pipe 11, and includes a hole 12a whose diameter is larger than the outer diameter of a rubber hose and in which the rubber hose passes through; and a pump which pumps more liquid than the liquid discharged outside the pipe 11 through the gap between the hole 12a and the rubber hose into an inlet 11a.

Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.