The invention relates to a system (10) for curing and/or inspecting a pipeline lining (30) positioned in a pipeline (20), the pipeline lining (30) comprising an outer plastics material layer and an inner fiber composite layer, the fiber composite layer comprising a plastics material which is to be cured and/or which is at least partially cured. In accordance with the invention, the system (10) comprises at least one high-frequency unit (40) which comprises at least one microwave-generator unit (41) and at least one microwave-transmitting antenna (42) for curing a plastics material which is to be cured, at least the at least one microwave-transmitting antenna (42) being movable in the pipeline (20) by means of a transporting device (60).

The present invention relates to two-dimensional and three-dimensional shaped parts and composite materials made of popcorn and synthetic and/or natural binding agents which are cured in automatic moulding machines or similar pressing installations by means of radio wave technology or microwaves. By means of these technologies, light-weight, two-dimensional and three-dimensional shaped parts and composite materials can be produced for packaging, as interior and exterior parts (for example in automobile and mobile-home construction), shock absorbers, space-dividing elements, furniture, consumer goods, for the building trade of for heat insulation.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

A system for controlling the temperature of a film before and/or during application, the system including: a heat source for heating a film; and stretch rollers; wherein the heat source heats the film from an ambient temperature to a temperature from about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the ambient temperature, wherein the film is heated prior to or simultaneous to being stretched by the stretch rollers, and wherein the ambient temperature is below 15° C. The preheating system may be used to enhance binding and sealing properties of stretch films used for wrapping palletized products in a reduced temperature environment. Other embodiments of the preheating film system, and methods for its use, are described herein.

The present invention relates to an enhanced method for the manufacture of a plastic component (135), in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, the method comprising: opening a mold (100) by a predetermined amount into a loading position, wherein the mold comprises at least two mold parts (110, 112) and wherein the amount by which the mold is opened influences an available loading volume of the mold, loading a material comprising expanded particles (130) into the loading volume, closing the mold into a closed position, wherein during closing of the mold the mold parts are moved together over different distances (140) in different areas of the mold, compressing the expanded particles by closing the mold and fusing at least the surfaces of the expanded particles to mold the plastic component.

A method to form automobile vehicle acoustic insulators includes as stages: forming a fiber mass by mixing a low melting point polymeric fiber and a high melting point polymeric fiber in predefined volumes in a mixing device; adding a water volume to the fiber mass to create a semi-solid mass; placing the semi-solid mass in a mold; internally heating the semi-solid mass in the mold using microwave energy; and expelling a first portion of the water volume through apertures created in the mold.

Disclosed herein is a method comprising transporting a conduit and a template through a guide tube; the template being disposed on an outer surface of the conduit between the conduit and the guide tube; and transferring a texture from the template to the conduit as the conduit and the template are transported through the guide tube. Disclosed herein too is an apparatus comprising a guide tube; the guide tube being operative to facilitate a transfer of a pattern from a template to a conduit; a first feed spool and a first take-up spool for feeding the conduit through the guide tube and for taking up the conduit after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively; and a second feed spool and a second take-up spool for feeding the template through the guide tube and for taking up the template after it has travelled through the guide tube respectively.

A method for producing a reinforcing bar by pultrusion, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a source of fibres; b) assembling the fibres into a bundle; c) impregnating the bundle with a thermosetting resin; d) eliminating excess resin from the bundle; e) compressing the bundle in a centripetal manner; f) exposing the bundle to a radiant energy source; g) spraying particles onto a surface of the bundle; and h) exposing the bundle to radiation in order to initiate, on the surface of same, the polymerisation of the resin. The present invention also concerns a system provided with corresponding devices in order to be able to implement the method. The present invention also concerns a reinforcing bar obtained with the described method and/or system.

The present invention relates to a method for thermally activating a functional layer of a coating material, preferably an edge material, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing the coating material; feeding the coating material to a device for thermally activating a functional layer of the coating material; and thermally activating the functional layer of the coating material, wherein the thermal activation of the functional layer of the coating material occurs by microwaves which are generated by at least one semiconductor wave generator. The present invention also relates to a device for thermally activating a functional layer of a coating material.

Described are methods for manufacturing a plastic component, in particular a cushioning element for sports apparel, a plastic component manufactured with such methods, for example a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe, and a shoe with such a sole. The method for the manufacture of a plastic component includes loading a mold with a first material includes particles of an expanded material and fusing the surfaces of the particles by supplying energy. The energy is supplied in the form of at least one electromagnetic field.