An apparatus for making a container (2) which comprises an outer skeleton (6), which includes at least one first sheet (8) and one second sheet (9), and a layer of thermoplastic material (7) the apparatus (1) comprising a conveying element (15) which defines a housing (22), which is mounted on a supporting structure (11) and which is movable along a movement path (16) which extends from an infeed station (17) to an outfeed station (18), along the movement path (16) the apparatus (1) having a first feeding station (19), a second feeding station (20), and a thermoforming station (21) placed downstream of the feeding stations, the apparatus also comprising a first feeding device (23) at the first feeding station (19) and configured to insert the first sheet (8) into the housing (22), a second feeding device (24) at the second feeding station (20) and configured to insert the second sheet (9) into the housing (22), and a thermoforming device (31) at the thermoforming station (21) and configured to thermoform a thermoplastic material (10) on the first sheet (8) and on the second sheet (9).

An apparatus for making a container (2) which comprises an outer skeleton (6), which includes at least one first sheet (8) and one second sheet (9), and a layer of thermoplastic material (7) the apparatus (1) comprising a conveying element (15) which defines a housing (22), which is mounted on a supporting structure (11) and which is movable along a movement path (16) which extends from an infeed station (17) to an outfeed station (18), along the movement path (16) the apparatus (1) having a first feeding station (19), a second feeding station (20), and a thermoforming station (21) placed downstream of the feeding stations, the apparatus also comprising a first feeding device (23) at the first feeding station (19) and configured to insert the first sheet (8) into the housing (22), a second feeding device (24) at the second feeding station (20) and configured to insert the second sheet (9) into the housing (22), and a thermoforming device (31) at the thermoforming station (21) and configured to thermoform a thermoplastic material (10) on the first sheet (8) and on the second sheet (9).

A method for producing a half-shell that includes an insert member for a high-pressure vessel using a mould having a first mould section forming a female mould. The method includes laying a pre-heated first plastic sheet on the first mould section; pressing or adhering, via one or more of a partial vacuum or a pressure, the first plastic sheet onto the first mould section; positioning the plastic of the first plastic sheet in areas behind a back-taper of the insert member at a lateral distance from the insert member, or positioning the insert member, after the pressing or adhering, so that plastic of the first plastic sheet is disposed in areas behind a back-taper of the insert member at a lateral distance from the insert member; and pressing or adhering, via a slide, partial vacuum, or pressure, the plastic of the first plastic sheet behind the back-taper and laterally distanced from the insert member, onto the insert member so that a space behind the back-taper of the insert member is filled with the plastic.

A method for producing a half-shell that includes an insert member for a high-pressure vessel using a mould having a first mould section forming a female mould. The method includes laying a pre-heated first plastic sheet on the first mould section; pressing or adhering, via one or more of a partial vacuum or a pressure, the first plastic sheet onto the first mould section; positioning the plastic of the first plastic sheet in areas behind a back-taper of the insert member at a lateral distance from the insert member, or positioning the insert member, after the pressing or adhering, so that plastic of the first plastic sheet is disposed in areas behind a back-taper of the insert member at a lateral distance from the insert member; and pressing or adhering, via a slide, partial vacuum, or pressure, the plastic of the first plastic sheet behind the back-taper and laterally distanced from the insert member, onto the insert member so that a space behind the back-taper of the insert member is filled with the plastic.

A molding system capable of reducing molding defects including first and second parison forming devices; first and second molds configured to be opened and closed; and a control unit. The first parison forming device comprises a first extruder, a first accumulator, and a first injection head, the first parison forming device is configured to form a first parison by injecting a first molten resin from the first injection head after the first molten resin extruded from the first extruder is accumulated in the first accumulator, the second parison forming device comprises a second extruder, a second accumulator, and a second injection head, the second parison forming device is configured to form a second parison by injecting a second molten resin from the second injection head after the second molten resin extruded from the second extruder is accumulated in the second accumulator.

A method for forming a composite fluid conduit includes providing an inner pipe having a variation in cross-section between at least two different longitudinal sections thereof and applying a fiber reinforced composite material to the inner pipe. In some disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided intermediate opposing ends of the inner pipe. In other disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided at an end region of the inner pipe.

A method for forming a composite fluid conduit includes providing an inner pipe having a variation in cross-section between at least two different longitudinal sections thereof and applying a fiber reinforced composite material to the inner pipe. In some disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided intermediate opposing ends of the inner pipe. In other disclosed examples the variation in cross section may be provided at an end region of the inner pipe.

To provide a decorative film whereby cracking is suppressed when the decorative film is adhered to a three-dimensional molded product while it is being stretched or in a stretched state. To further provide a composition, a method for producing the decorative film, and a method for producing a three-dimensional molded product provided with the decorative film. The decorative film has at least a base film and a fluororesin layer containing a fluororesin having a crosslinked structure, characterized in that the fluororesin layer contains a urethane bond and an allophanate bond, and the average molecular weight between crosslinking-points of the fluororesin layer is more than 50,000 and at most 100,000.

To provide a decorative film whereby cracking is suppressed when the decorative film is adhered to a three-dimensional molded product while it is being stretched or in a stretched state. To further provide a composition, a method for producing the decorative film, and a method for producing a three-dimensional molded product provided with the decorative film. The decorative film has at least a base film and a fluororesin layer containing a fluororesin having a crosslinked structure, characterized in that the fluororesin layer contains a urethane bond and an allophanate bond, and the average molecular weight between crosslinking-points of the fluororesin layer is more than 50,000 and at most 100,000.

A method for thermoforming a bicycle frame component includes the steps of: (A) preparing first and second casings both made of a thermoplastic material, the first casing having a first abutment surface, the second casing having a second abutment surface; (B) preparing a reinforcing unit; (C) abutting the first and second abutment surfaces against each other, and then placing the reinforcing unit at a junction of the first and second casings; and (D) thermally bonding the reinforcing unit to the first and second casings such that the first and second casings are joined to form the bicycle frame component. A bicycle frame component is also disclosed.