Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a process of forming an extended elongate product from a plurality of strands by subjecting the strands to heat and pressure. The improvement of the present invention comprises a method for compressing the strands in a manner to reduce internal stresses imparted to the product during its subjection to pressure. The method includes the steps of: (a) transporting in a longitudinal direction the strands in a generally parallel and overlapping relationship through a compressing zone of a press assembly; (b) increasing the pressure on the strands as they pass from an inlet end to an outlet end of the compressing zone by gradually converging facing walls of the press assembly so that: (i) the strands being compressed move relative to one another through at least a portion of the compressing zone; and (ii) the strands being compressed lock up so that they no longer move relative to one another but rather only compress relative to one another at a point in the compressing zone where the radius of curvature in the longitudinal direction on either side of a central reference plane of the mat being compressed is at least about 30 feet to provide a low remembered internal stress.

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First Claim