The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.

A method and apparatus for a continuous compression molding machine. The continuous compression molding machine comprises a tooling die, extending through a heating zone and a cooling zone, a tooling sleeve, and a biasing system. The tooling sleeve corresponds to the tooling die and is for use in forming a thermoplastic composite part from a thermoplastic composite charge when the tooling sleeve with the thermoplastic composite charge is moved with respect to the tooling die through the heating zone and the cooling zone. The biasing system is configured to hold the thermoplastic charge at a first angle within the heating zone and hold the thermoplastic composite charge at a second angle within the cooling zone, as the tooling sleeve moves through the heating zone and the cooling zone with the thermoplastic composite charge. The first angle is different from the second angle.

The provided articles and methods use a non-woven fibrous web containing 60-100 wt % of oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers; and 0-40 wt % of reinforcing fibers having outer surfaces comprised of a polymer with a melting temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. The non-woven fibrous web has an average bulk density of from 15 kg/m.sup.3 to 50 kg/m.sup.3, with the plurality of fibers substantially entangled along directions perpendicular to a major surface of the non-woven fibrous web. Optionally, the oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers can have a crimped configuration. Advantageously, these articles can display a combination of low thermal conductivity, high tensile strength, and flame resistance.

A panel includes a thermoset material, and an image comprising sublimation ink. The sublimation ink is absorbed in the thermoset material. The rigid component may be a rigid structure formed by the thermoset material. The panel may be for a bath or shower enclosure.

A manufacturing device for an optical sheet according to the present invention includes a first belt 34 extending on a first heating roll 31 and a first chill roll 32 and a second belt 44 extending on a second heating roll 41 and a second chill roll 42. The first heating roll 31 presses, from the surface of the second belt 44, a second belt non-contact portion PT2 of the second belt 44 facing the first belt 34 where the second heating roll 41 is not in contact with the second chill roll 42. The second chill roll 42 presses, from the surface of the first belt, a first belt non-contact portion PT1 of the first belt 34 facing the second belt 44 where the first heating roll 31 is not in contact with the first chill roll 32.

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for laminating a substrate (12) with a thermoplastic film (11), the apparatus (1) comprising the following: —a laminating unit (2) for laminating the substrate (12) with the thermoplastic film (11), —a feed device (4) for the thermoplastic film (11) to the laminating unit (2), wherein the feed device (4) for the thermoplastic film (11) has devices (14) for heating a first side (16) of the film (11) and devices (15) for cooling a second side (17) of the film (11), as well as a number of controllably driven rollers (10) via which the film (11) is guided past the devices (14) for heating and the devices (15) for cooling, wherein a tension of the film (11) can be regulated via the speed of the driven rollers (10).

Resin pellets (7) supplied to a resin block forming space (150) are heated and melted by a heater unit (300) and the melted resin pellets (7) are cooled and solidified to form a resin layer. Since a lifting mechanism (230) of a lifting unit (200) lowers a bottom surface plate (215) whenever forming each of the resin layers, the resin layers formed by the resin block forming space (150) are sequentially laminated to form a large resin block.

Resin pellets (7) supplied to a resin block forming space (150) are heated and melted by a heater unit (300) and the melted resin pellets (7) are cooled and solidified to form a resin layer. Since a lifting mechanism (230) of a lifting unit (200) lowers a bottom surface plate (215) whenever forming each of the resin layers, the resin layers formed by the resin block forming space (150) are sequentially laminated to form a large resin block.

Systems for forming thermoplastic components are disclosed. A system may include a mold including a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion. The first portion and/or the second portion may receive material for the component. The system may also include a compressive device positioned adjacent to and contacting the first portion of the mold. Additionally, the system may include a control system in communication with the compressive device. The control system may be configured to displace the compressive device to apply a compressive force to the first portion of the mold, and impose a predetermined pressure on the material for the component. The control system may also be configured to heat the first portion and/or the second portion of the mold.

Described herein is a process for producing water soluble polymer films by low temperature calendering of a polymer composition including an ethylene oxide homo- or copolymer. Also described herein are polymer films obtainable by said process and methods of using the polymer films, in particular for the portionwise packaging of detergents and cleaners.