Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced polymer film structure is disclosed that includes the steps of slitting a biaxially oriented polymer film web having a top face and a bottom face into a first portion and a second portion, identifying the first portion and the second portion, and placing the first portion atop the second portion, such that the bottom face of the first portion is adjacent the top face of the second portion. This structure provides an impact and tear resistant laminate. Also disclosed is a method of forming a polymer film structure by identifying a molecular orientation direction profile of two portions of biaxially oriented polymer film and layering the two portions such that a molecular orientation direction profile of one does not coincide with a molecular orientation direction profile of the other.

Abstract: A method of forming a reinforced polymer film structure is disclosed that includes the steps of slitting a biaxially oriented polymer film web having a top face and a bottom face into a first portion and a second portion, identifying the first portion and the second portion, and placing the first portion atop the second portion, such that the bottom face of the first portion is adjacent the top face of the second portion. This structure provides an impact and tear resistant laminate. Also disclosed is a method of forming a polymer film structure by identifying a molecular orientation direction profile of two portions of biaxially oriented polymer film and layering the two portions such that a molecular orientation direction profile of one does not coincide with a molecular orientation direction profile of the other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated polymer film having heat seal properties. The heat seal coating includes a propylene diol copolyester. Preferably, the copolyester is formed from 1,3-propane diol, isophthalic acid and a sulfomonomer. A method of heat sealing using this coated film is also disclosed.

Abstract: A calendering apparatus and method for heatsetting a traveling multi-filament tow basically utilizes plural heated rolls about which the tow travels in a sinuous path to be conductively heated by the rolls and, at each roll, a plurality of infrared lamps in an arcuate arrangement facing the portion of the respective roll in contact with the tow simultaneously applies infrared radiation to the opposite side of the tow. In one embodiment, this arrangement of infrared lamps is retrofitted to a conventional calendering apparatus. An alternative embodiment provides for reducing or eliminating the number of calender rolls followed by a series of infrared heating tunnels collectively effective to accomplish heatsetting of the tow. The speed and/or throughput rate of each calendering apparatus and method is effectively twice that of conventional equipment of similar size.