Abstract: A process for the production of thick synthetic resin sheets having a multicolor pattern, involves processing heated thermoplastic chips into a coherent sheet by means of a pair of rolls profiled to a depth of about 0.1-0.5 mm which effect partially differing densification.

Abstract: Powder is filled in an axially elongate powder filling space defined in a flexible pressure tube, and the pressure-bearing surface of the flexible pressure tube is pressurized with a pressurizing fluid, from a wall portion of the pressure tube which corresponds to a localized region of the powder filling space progressively toward another wall portion of the pressure tube which corresponds to an end of the powder filling space, until the pressure-bearing surface of the pressure tube is pressurized in its entirety, thereby compacting the powder in the powder filling space. Therefore, air in the powder is progressively squeezed toward the end of the powder filling space where the air can be discharged. Thus, no air remains trapped in the powder, and a formed product is prevented from being damaged, which enables elongate products to be produced.

Abstract: A process for producing sheets or other shaped articles which includes applying a solution or dispersion of a hydrophilic urethane prepolymer in a large excess of water, optionally containing an inert binder polymer, to vegetable particulate materials, shaping the resulting mass, curing and drying the shaped articles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing hardened granules produced by mixing at least fly ash obtained from combustion of a material selected from a coal product and lignite, a binder and water, forming granules of said mixture, hardening said granules in an embedding material at a temperature between 85.degree. and 212.degree. F. by applying heat and separating the hardened granules from the embedding material, said embedding material being used for forming new granules, including the step of embedding the non hardened granules after granulation in a hardening reactor in a fine grained material with a water absorption capacity of at least 8% and being free from a compound generating heat by contacting water, and supplying heat to the mixture of granules and embedding material in said hardening reactor by introducing steam into the mixture of granules and embedding material as present in the hardening reactor to raise and maintain the temperature at a value comprised between 85.degree. F. and 212.degree. F.

Abstract: A method of making a borate treated wood particle board by applying an adhesive resin and a particulate borate treating agent (anhydrous borax or zinc borate) in a dry form to the wood particles to produce treated wood particles (wafers). The treated wood particles are formed into a mat and consolidated under heat and pressure to distribute the resin in the wood before the viscosity of the resin is effected by contact with a sufficient amount of borate to significantly impair penetration of the resin into the wood.

Abstract: A granular stabilizer for chlorine-containing polymers, which is formed by granulating a hardly fusible or infusible powdery stabilizer for chlorine-containing polymers or a mixture of said powdery stabilizer with a powdery stabilizer aid through an organic solid binder or dispersion medium, wherein respective primary particles of said powdery stabilizer or said powdery mixture are surface-treated with the organic solid binder or dispersion medium in an amount of 2 to 15 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said powdery stabilizer or said powdery mixture, which is smaller than the critical liquid absorption of said powdery, and said primary particles are granulated into particles having an average particle size of 0.1 to 2 mm by fusion bonding of the surface treatment layers of the organic solid binder or dispersion medium.

Abstract: A mold and process for integrally forming a modular helical shaped device such as a screw conveyor. The mold has a center operating axis (26) and includes a first section (20A) which forms a portion of the axial member (33). The first section (20A) also forms one of the helical surfaces (36A) disposed around the center axis (26) which has an amount of rotation no greater than 360 degrees. In a similar manner, a second section (20B) is adapted for reciprocating movement along the center axis (26) between an open and closed position with respect to section (20A). The second section (20B) forms the other one of the helical shaped flight members (41). Thus, the two mold sections define a substantially enclosed cavity having an elongated axial portion and a helical shaped flight portion with a selected cross-section that forms the helical shaped device.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing liquid droplets having a narrow size distribution. Thin liquid streams are forced under pressure through a plurality of orifices in an orifice plate, the largest of which orifices has a diameter not greater than about three times the diameter of the smallest of those orifices. Also the thin liquid streams are vibrated to cause the breakup of each stream into droplets having a narrow size distribution.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced hollow microspheres made from dispersed particle film forming compositions including fibers, dispersed particles, a binder, a film stabilizing agent, a dispersing agent and a continuous liquid phase. Porous and non-porous fiber reinforced hollow microspheres can be made. The fiber reinforced hollow microspheres have walls with voids which are interconnected to each other and to the inner and outer wall surfaces, and the fiber reinforced hollow microspheres can be used as membrane substrates in selective separation processes and in biotech processes. The fiber reinforced hollow microspheres can be used as supports for catalysts and as enclosures for catalysts, adsorbents and absorbents. The fiber reinforced hollow microspheres can also be used as filler materials and as proppants for increasing gas recovery from gas wells.

Abstract: A process for producing desired sized product granules characterized by dispensing on a flat moving horizontal bed product particulates from a heat exchange assembly, then mixing the product particulates with seed material by a mixing means for a period of time to produce the desired sized product granules.

Abstract: A process for the production of a fiber web on a movable, gas-permeable surface of a continuous laydown belt which is under vacuum and which forms a distribution chamber. After the fibers are mechanically opened, the fiber flow is conducted into the distribution chamber by means of an air current and additional air currents are delivered to the distribution chamber. An additional air current is introduced into the distribution chamber for the purpose of preventing a lumping together of fibers prior to the laydown in the web while the carrying air current is delivered to the distribution chamber in a nozzle-shaped chute. After the fibers have been laid down in a web, the web is precompressed by means of a controllable vacuum.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing relatively large and dense, relatively dry sulfur particles from molten sulfur comprises a manifold having a number of small, spaced apart, molten sulfur discharge apertures which are sized, according to the rate and pressure head at which the molten sulfur is received, for enabling the sulfur flow from each aperture to be laminar. Included is a vessel for holding a quenching liquid, preferably water. The manifold is mounted above the vessel with the discharge apertures preferably about one quarter inch to about two inches above the quenching liquid surface. Means are included for continuously moving the manifold in a circular path while the moltlen sulfur is discharged from the manifold apertures so that the discharged streams continually contact different regions of the quenching liquid. A conveyor is connected to the vessel for removing particulate sulfur therefrom.

Abstract: A method for producing fine particles of a thermoplastic resin by mixing the thermoplastic resin with a medium which does not dissolve the resin, at a temperature not lower than the softening point or melting point of the resin to prepare a hot dispersion, cooling the dispersion to a temperature lower than the softening point or melting point of the resin and separating the solidified particles of thermoplastic resin from the medium. The medium is a silicone oil with a viscosity of 100 cst/25.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: A carbon black beader drum having a plow-like member extending into the moving bed of beads within the drum. The member parts the surface of the moving bed, and carbon black in powder form is added to the beader drum by placement into the impression or furrow created in the moving bed by the member. The added powder is covered a short distance behind the member, preventing the powder from depositing on the inner surface of the beader drum.

Abstract: An improved, continuous airlaying apparatus for making airlaid articles such as discrete absorbent fibrous cores for catamenial napkins and disposable diapers and the like having high structural integrity, and good edge definition. The articles are airlaid in discrete cavities as they pass through a deposition zone of the apparatus, and are compacted a predetermined amount prior to their being removed from their respective deposition cavities. An exemplary mechanism for effecting the compacting comprises a lugged cylinder having circumferentially spaced lugs which are configured and pitched to mesh in a quasi gear-like manner with the deposition cavities.

Abstract: A double shell filter including an inner shell of bounded 80 to 400 U.S. mesh screen carbon particles and an outer shell of bonded 20 to 80 mesh screen carbon particles wherein the inner and outer particles are bonded internally to each other and the two shells are bonded together preferably by an ultra high molecular weight polymer binder having a melt index of less than about 1 gram per ten minutes as determined by ASTM D1238 at 190 degrees C. and 15 kilograms load.

Abstract: Superabsorbent articles in the form of soft, nonwoven fibrous webs are produced from aqueous fiber-forming polymer solutions by forming the polymer into water soluble filaments, contacting the filaments with a primary air stream having a velocity effective to attenuate and to partially dry the filaments, contacting the attenuated filaments with a secondary air stream having a velocity effective to fragment the filaments into fibers and to transport the fibers to a web-forming zone while also further attenuating and drying the fibers, collecting the fibers in reticulated web-form in the web-forming zone and curing the web to a water insoluble state. The temperature and air stream velocities are controlled with respect to ambient humidity and water content of the fiber during the fiber and web formation such that the fibers are collected without sticking. Collection is preferably on a wire belt followed by transport through a curing oven to compacting rolls and web take-up.

Abstract: A preform for being embedded in a matrix material for making a composite material is made essentially of many short fibers stuck together by a quantity of dried binder. This preform has a first portion in which the fiber volume proportion is relatively high, a second portion in which the fiber volume proportion is relatively low, and a third portion, joining between the first portion and the second portion, in which the fiber volume proportion changes substantially continuously from its portion adjoining to the first portion to its portion adjoining to the second portion. Thereby, the characteristics of the composite material, such as its strength, heat and wear resistance, and machinability and workability and characteristics with respect to wear on a mating member, alter smoothly from the first portion to the second portion without any severe discontinuity, thus ensuring that no points of weakness are caused.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling back pressure in an injection molding machine. Forward and backward movements of an injection plunger are converted into rotational motion and the turning force and back pressure of the injection plunger during the step of charging material are controlled. An electric motor serves for carrying out back pressure control and a torque limiting control function is performed to limit the output torque of the motor according to the magnitude of a set value of back pressure.

Abstract: A press apparatus and method for steam pressing a mat of compressible material and a binder into a formed product and has particular application to the steam pressing of lignocellulosic material and a binder to form composite board and includes a border projection means generally configured to the outline of the end product to be produced and which is carried by a press platen, preferably the upper press platen, and which is intended to impinge into the mat during its compression and to effect a steam pressure seal at the impingement area of the mat. As a pressure seal of the compressed mat is created about the mat edges, steam can then be passed through the mat in order to cure the binder. If desired, cool air can be passed through the mat afer steaming to condense residual steam in the mat. The compressed mat after steaming, can also be subject to vacuum prior to releasing it from the press. The edges of the cured mat which have been subject to impingement, can subsequently be trimmed off.