An apparatus and method for manufacturing a composite product from plural components are disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a conveyor assembly comprising back-to-back conveyor belts (16,18) which are drivable such that components can be received between the conveyor belts at an input end of the conveyor assembly and can be moved through the apparatus between the conveyor belts. A press (30) is arranged to consolidate the components into a flat form by the application of pressure to the components between the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts pass through a die (71) which is arranged such that consolidated components between the conveyor belts are shaped into a non-flat profile as they move through the die. A heater (38) is arranged to apply heat to set the components into the non-flat profile to form the composite product (57).

A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours. The 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method including at least one of one or more pairs of shapeable and flexible dual-temperature bands and a rotating assembly that rotates the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to impart a twist to the thermoplastic composite.

A 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method based upon a 3D variable die system and including one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to continuously produce thermoplastic composite pultrusions with at least one of varying cross-section geometry and constant surface contours, varying cross-section geometry and varying surface contours, and constant cross-section geometry and varying surface contours. The 3D thermoplastic pultrusion system and method including at least one of multiple pairs of shapeable and flexible bands and a rotating assembly that rotates the one or more sets of 3D thermoplastic forming machines to impart a twist to the thermoplastic composite.

An elongate tape element, a flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The tape element (508) has a cross-sectional profile comprising a body portion (510) for being positioned between collapse resistant tape windings (501) such that each body portion (510) lies at least partially in a gap (512) between adjacent collapse resistant tape windings (501); and at least one wing portion (516) extending from an end region of the body portion, the at least one wing portion configured to span the gap and respectively abut with a radially inner surface of an adjacent collapse resistant tape winding.

An automated flooring system includes a square-nose device and a bull-nose device for forming square-nose and bull-nose configurations, respectively. The square-nose device features a frame with a forming panel comprising three forming plates rotatably coupled to each other to receive and accommodate a planar flooring. A plurality of actuators facilitate transverse rotation of sections of the flooring to achieve the square-nose profile. The bull-nose device comprises a frame, a rotor plate, rollers, and a clamp bar, with actuators for engaging and forming the flooring into a bull-nose configuration. A de-stacker retrieves flooring from the devices, while a conveyor system transports flooring through stations for cutting grooves, applying adhesive, and heating before discharge. The system streamlines the production of square-nose and bull-nose flooring configurations, enhancing efficiency in flooring manufacturing processes.

In one aspect of the present subject matter, a method of forming a linear panel includes drawing a multi-layer panel material assembly having differing inner and outer material layers along a processing path. The method also includes heating the panel material assembly. In addition, the method includes forming the heated panel material assembly into a desired shape as the assembly is drawn along the processing path. Additionally, in another aspect of the present subject matter, a linear panel includes a body formed from a multi-layer panel material assembly having differing inner and outer material layers.

A lighting device is disclosed that comprises a glass tube (10); a solid state lighting assembly in said glass tube, said assembly comprising an electrically insulating optical film (20) comprising at least one arcuate portion lining a part (12) of the inner surface of the glass tube, wherein the glass tube further comprises a further part (14) defining a light exit portion; and a plurality of solid state lighting elements (32) on a carrier (30), said carrier contacting said optical film; a thermally conductive member (40, 42) in between at least a part of the solid state lighting assembly and the glass tube for thermally coupling the solid state lighting elements to the glass tube; and a transparent or translucent electrically insulating cover (50, 60) contacting the electrically insulating optical film and covering the solid state lighting elements. A luminaire including such a lighting device and a lighting device assembly method are also disclosed.

An elongate tape element, a flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The tape element (508) has a cross-sectional profile comprising a body portion (510) for being positioned between collapse resistant tape windings (501) such that each body portion (510) lies at least partially in a gap (512) between adjacent collapse resistant tape windings (501); and at least one wing portion (516) extending from an end region of the body portion, the at least one wing portion configured to span the gap and respectively abut with a radially inner surface of an adjacent collapse resistant tape winding.

A lighting device including a glass tube; a solid state lighting assembly in said glass tube, said assembly including an electrically insulating optical film having at least one arcuate portion lining a part of the inner surface of the glass tube, wherein the glass tube includes a further part defining a light exit portion; and a plurality of solid state lighting elements on a carrier, said carrier contacting said optical film; a thermally conductive member in between at least a part of the solid state lighting assembly and the glass tube for thermally coupling the solid state lighting elements to the glass tube; and a transparent or translucent electrically insulating cover contacting the electrically insulating optical film and covering the solid state lighting elements. A luminaire including such a lighting device and a lighting device assembly method are also disclosed.

The present disclosure provides method, computing device readable medium, and devices for dental appliances formed with folded material components. An example of a method of forming a dental appliance, includes forming a shell having a number of tooth apertures configured to receive and reposition a number of teeth of a patient along one jaw of a patient, the shell having a number of specialized components and wherein the number of specialized components are formed from folding multiple sections of the first sheet of material over each other.