A forming apparatus is equipped with (i) a conveyance unit configured to convey a formation sheet, that expands due to irradiation with electromagnetic waves, along a conveyance path in a state in which tension for causing bending in accordance with a conveyance path that is convexly bent is applied, and (ii) an irradiation unit configured to irradiate with the electromagnetic waves the formation sheet during conveyance by the conveyance unit in the state in which the tension is applied.

Provided are a biodegradable sheet with antiviral properties, a manufacturing method thereof, and the use thereof. The biodegradable sheet comprises: a biodegradable polymer resin consisting of a polylactic acid-based polymer; or a composite degradable polymer resin comprising of a biodegradable resin and a petrochemical resin; and particles of an inorganic antiviral agent or aggregated composite particles of at least two inorganic antiviral agents incorporated into the biodegradable sheet so that the inorganic antiviral agent can be dispersed with a particle size of 100 to 900 nm.

Provided are a biodegradable sheet with antiviral properties, a manufacturing method thereof, and the use thereof. The biodegradable sheet comprises: a biodegradable polymer resin consisting of a polylactic acid-based polymer; or a composite degradable polymer resin comprising of a biodegradable resin and a petrochemical resin; and particles of an inorganic antiviral agent or aggregated composite particles of at least two inorganic antiviral agents incorporated into the biodegradable sheet so that the inorganic antiviral agent can be dispersed with a particle size of 100 to 900 nm.

A plant for the continuous vulcanisation of mixtures of natural or synthetic latex inside a plurality of vulcanisation moulds aligned close to each other, each including: a base and a lid able to be removably coupled; an advancing mechanism for advancing the moulds along guides inside a vulcanising oven; and a sprayer for spraying the mixture inside the bases before entry into the vulcanising oven. The plant includes: an assembly set and a disassembly set of the moulds, belonging respectively to the input station and to the output station of the vulcanising oven; a first transport mechanism for transferring each base from the disassembly set to the assembly set; a second transport mechanism for transferring each lid from the disassembly set to the assembly set. The vulcanising oven includes a tunnel with a radiofrequency set for vulcanising the mixture.

A plant for the continuous vulcanisation of mixtures of natural or synthetic latex inside a plurality of vulcanisation moulds aligned close to each other, each including: a base and a lid able to be removably coupled; an advancing mechanism for advancing the moulds along guides inside a vulcanising oven; and a sprayer for spraying the mixture inside the bases before entry into the vulcanising oven. The plant includes: an assembly set and a disassembly set of the moulds, belonging respectively to the input station and to the output station of the vulcanising oven; a first transport mechanism for transferring each base from the disassembly set to the assembly set; a second transport mechanism for transferring each lid from the disassembly set to the assembly set. The vulcanising oven includes a tunnel with a radiofrequency set for vulcanising the mixture.

Disclosed are methods, systems and computer program products for producing rigid foam board, comprising: depositing a foam producing mixture on a facer as it travels along a conveyor; producing a rigid foam board via an exothermic reaction; imaging the rigid foam board after it is produced but before it has cooled to room temperature, using an infrared or an optical imaging device, to capture an image of the rigid foam board; receiving a signal comprising the captured image from the imaging device to a computing device; determining, based on the captured image, if a defect that requires correction exists in the rigid foam board; and optionally, in response to determining that a defect requiring correction exists, modifying a process parameter in producing rigid foam board.

There is provided a die for extrusion in which an undesired reaction is suppressed in an inside thereof and with which variation in thickness of a resin sheet to be obtained can be reduced. A die for extrusion of the present invention includes: a cylindrical inflow port into which a molten resin flows; a manifold connected to the inflow port; a first slit connected to the manifold; a second slit connected to the first slit; and a lip land connected to the second slit. In the die for extrusion, the shape of a flow path is optimized based on a relationship among a position in the die, an operation time, and a vulcanization degree.

There is provided a die for extrusion in which an undesired reaction is suppressed in an inside thereof and with which variation in thickness of a resin sheet to be obtained can be reduced. A die for extrusion of the present invention includes: a cylindrical inflow port into which a molten resin flows; a manifold connected to the inflow port; a first slit connected to the manifold; a second slit connected to the first slit; and a lip land connected to the second slit. In the die for extrusion, the shape of a flow path is optimized based on a relationship among a position in the die, an operation time, and a vulcanization degree.

Provided are a porous structure and a method of fabricating the same. The porous structure may include an aluminum oxide containing at least one of fluorine and phenyl group. For example, the porous structure may be formed from alumina which contains fluorine or phenyl group. The method of fabricating the porous structure may include preparing an aluminum precursor including at least one of fluorine and phenyl group; providing a precursor solution by mixing the precursor with a solvent; and forming the porous structure having 3-dimensional network structure including the aluminum oxide containing the at least one of fluorine and phenyl group from the precursor solution through gelation.

A plasticized PVC formulation for foam extrusion including polyvinyl chloride, at least one plasticizer, at least one nucleating agent and a chemical blowing agent, wherein the plasticized PVC formulation is a dry blend containing 0.5 to 5% by weight of one or more nucleating agents and 0.1 to 3% by weight of the chemical blowing agent, wherein the blowing agent is sodium bicarbonate and the nucleating agent is talcum, and a foam extrusion method using said formulation. The extruded plasticized PVC foam is particularly suitable for rock shield pads used for pipeline protection. The foams are lightweight and require less consumption of materials with comparable properties to corresponding solid articles.