A process for manufacturing pipes using thermoplastic pipe and tape (continuous fiber, fully wetted in a similar thermoplastic as the pipe) that embeds the fibers into pipe surface. In one embodiment, an ambient temperature (72 degrees F.) tape is tightly wrapped around the cold pipe in a dry environment (relative humidity below 30). An external heat source is used to heat up the entire length of the pipe causing the thermoplastic to melt and the pipe to expand due to thermal expansion. Since the fibers have less stretch than the thermal expansion of the pipe the fibers will be embedded into the molten layer of the pipe, creating a permanent bond between the fibers and the pipe. A protective film is applied to the pipe. Portions of the tape and film are scraped from the surface of the pipe creating an area where the end of the pipe is coupled to another pipe using an electronic fusion coupler.

To produce a flexible pipe body, a length of tensile armour element (300) of pre-preg composite material is fed towards a fluid-retaining layer (602). The tensile armour element (300) passes through a guide (604) an a pre-heater (606). The tensile armour element (300) is then applied to the fluid-retaining layer (602), being wrapped around the fluid-etaining layer (602) by virtue of the rotation of the layer (602), the linear translation of the layer (602), and the fixed position of the tensile armour element feed (601). The element (300) is fed to the fluid-retaining layer under a constant, predetermined controlled tension. Positioning head (608) helps to position the element (300) on the fluid-retaining layer (602). As tensile armour element is wound onto the pipe body, the pipe body continues to move in a, linear direction and the pipe body moves through an oven (610).

Disclosed herein is a method for filament winding. The method includes bonding a veil material to the unidirectional fabric to veil-stabilize the unidirectional fabric. The method also includes slitting the veil-stabilized unidirectional fabric to separate a veil-stabilized fabric portion. The method also includes directing the veil-stabilized fabric portion to an application head. The method also includes winding the veil-stabilized fabric portion on a winding mandrel.

A flexible pipe body and method of producing a flexible pipe body are disclosed. The method includes providing two or more non-bonded composite filaments (302) as a non-bonded filament bundle (310); applying a braid element (304) around the filament bundle (310) to thereby form a braided bundle (310) comprising non-bonded filaments (302); and helically wrapping the braided bundle (310) around a flexible pipe body layer (502).

A method of continuously forming an axially extensible and retractable hose comprising the steps of continuously forming an axially extending helix with axially spaced reinforcing coils from extruded thermoplastic material having a uniform cross-section along its length; and continuously bridging between an adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils with a continuous web of extruded thermoplastic material of substantially uniform width and relatively thin cross-section to form a continuous, helically extending sidewall, with the web having one of two opposite edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat outer bonding surface of a radially outwardly located portion of one of the adjacent pair of reinforcing coils, with the web having the other of the edge regions bonded continuously to a relatively flat inner bonding surface of a radially inwardly located portion of the other of the pair of reinforcing coils, and with the edge regions continuously radially separated from each other by the helix.

Plastic tubing including a thermoplastic ribbon helically wrapped and heat bonded to itself to form a tubing wall and a thermoplastic reinforcement located helically around and along the tubing wall. At least a thickness of the tubing wall or a size of the thermoplastic reinforcement is varied along the tubing wall.

A multiple layer hollow cylinder is provided. An inner air-tight material is wrapped about at least a portion of a mandrel to form a plurality of first material loops. Each first material loop subsequent to an initial first material loop at least partially overlaps a previous first material loop. A resin-infused fabric material is wrapped over the inner air-tight material to form a plurality of second material loops. Each second material loop subsequent to an initial second material loop at least partially overlaps a previous second material loop. An outer air-tight transparent material is wrapped over the resin-infused fabric material to form a plurality of third material loops. Each third material loop subsequent to an initial third material loop at least partially overlaps a previous third material loop. Energy is directed about the outer air-tight transparent material to cure the resin-infused fabric material to form a hollow cylinder.

The reinforcing structure for a tire is in the form of a stratified assembly formed of two layers of reinforcing strips of completely connected cross section, and flattened in shape. According to the method, the strips of each layer are laid side by side in a main direction of laying. The strips of the first layer are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the width of the strips of the second layer and in such a way that the edges of the strips of the first layer overlap the edges of the strips of the second layer. The two layers of strips are separated by a layer of uncoupling rubber.

A kit for in vitro or ex vivo measurement of sCD127 expression in a biological sample, the kit including: specific tools or reagents allowing measurement of sCD127 expression in said biological sample; and a positive standard sample which is a sample calibrated to contain an amount of sCD127 which corresponds to the mean amount measured in a pool of samples from patients who are known to have developed a nosocomial infection, and/or a negative standard sample which is a sample calibrated to contain the amount of sCD127 which corresponds to the mean amount measured in a pool of samples from patients who are known not to have developed a nosocomial infection.

A method of producing, for example, handles for using in rolling stock or other transport situations, employs a flexible core mould that is coated with an impregnated glass fiber. The coated core mould is placed into a tool for curing, whereupon the rubber core is pulled out of the center of the resulting handle member after curing. The method helps create 3D shapes of any form and cross section in a cost effective manner and using a standardized methodology and process. Further, the method enables creation of a hollow and lightweight part. The method allows use of standard glass fiber instead of more specialized braided fiber of the prior art.