Abstract: An exercise device for improving the performance of age or disease impaired human respiratory systems. The device depends on the use of a respiratory exerciser which contains a novel piston which does not itself contact internal diameter of the tube in which it is situated except for the interface created by a rubber disk which is centered in the piston.

Abstract: This invention deals with a new and novel dynamic exercising device intended to improve the performance of age or disease impaired human respiratory systems. The device depends on the use of a respiratory exerciser which contains a novel piston which does not itself contact the internal diameter of the tube in which it is situated except for the interface created by a rubber disk which is centered in the piston.

Abstract: Closed-cell foam particles are pressurized to produce particles useful in a process using secondary foaming to achieve a lower density foam. Closed-cell foam particles are initially compressed in a first stage compression tank and then transferred to a main gas pressurization tank. The main gas pressurization tank comprises multi-level shelves, each with a set of compartments. Charges of foam particles pass sequentially through the shelves while becoming fully pressurized. The multi-level shelves with means to move charges of foam particles from shelf to shelf are responsible for the closed cell foam particles becoming pressurized in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Pneumatic synthetic resinous foams are used as dunnage. Foams are added to a package under fluid pressure; the package closed, the pressure reduced to atmospheric, and particulate pneumatic foam expands to fill container.

Abstract: Expandible synthetic resinous particles are molded by injecting heated air generally centrally into the mold cavity by means of a probe, withdrawing the probe and heating the surface of the mold. Low densities and rapid cycle times are obtained.

Abstract: An oven is provided which has varying temperature zones. The oven is prepared from a pair of opposed elongate metal members, each heated at adjacent ends and a cavity defining a thermally insulating member between the metal bar.

Abstract: Excellently properties, thermoplastic compositions well adapted for conversion by conventional melt-processing extrusion and other ordinary fabrication techniques into very good quality, lightly cross-linked, thermocollapse-resistant, closed-cell plastic foam(s) and the like expanded cellular product(s) are comprised of an intimate mixture of:(A) a sparsely hydroxylated, normally-solid olefin polymer, particularly a linear alkenyl aromatic or polyolefin polymer which is frequently at least substantially a styrene polymer which is generally in copolymeric form with appropriate moieties of comonomers adapted to provide the requisite attached hydroxyl units therein and thereon; and(B) a minor proportion of an inter-reactive, cross-linking polyisocyanate constituent.

Abstract: Excellently properties, thermoplastic compositions well adapted for conversion by conventional melt-processing extrusion and other ordinary fabrication techniques into very good quality, lightly cross-linked, thermocollapse-resistant, closed-cell plastic foam(s) and the like expanded cellular product(s) are comprised of an intimate mixture of:(A) a sparsely hydroxylated, normally-solid olefin polymer, particularly a linear alkenyl aromatic or polyolefin polymer which is frequently at least substantially a styrene polymer which is generally in copolymeric form with appropriate moieties of comonomers adapted to provide the requisite attached hydroxyl units therein and thereon; and(B) a minor proportion of an inter-reactive, cross-linking polyisocyanate constituent.

Abstract: Resilient foam particles and moldings are obtained employing a lightly crosslinked polymer such as a styrene polymer with volatile fluid foaming agent that has low permeability through the polymer. Multiple expansion will permit low density particles for molding.

Abstract: Excellently properties, thermoplastic compositions well adapted for conversion by conventional melt-processing extrusion and other ordinary fabrication techniques into very good quality, lightly cross-linked, thermocollapse-resistant, closed-cell plastic foam(s) and the like expanded cellular product(s) are comprised of an intimate mixture of:(A) a sparsely hydroxylated, normally-solid olefin polymer, particularly a linear alkenyl aromatic or polyolefin polymer which is frequently at least substantially a styrene polymer which is generally in copolymeric form with appropriate moieties of comonomers adapted to provide the requisite attached hydroxyl units therein and thereon; and(B) a minor proportion of an inter-reactive, cross-linking polyisocyanate constituent.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the density of a substantially closed-cell thermoplastic resin foam material by the secondary expansion thereof. The method comprises increasing the gas pressure within the cells, retaining that elevated cell pressure for prolonged periods and then heating the foam material above its heat plastifying temperature to cause secondary expansion thereof. In an example, a low density polyethylene material was foamed to produce a foam with a density of approximately 0.085 grams per cubic centimeter. This foam was then pressurized with nitrogen and afterward secondarily expanded to produce a foam with a density of approximately 0.036 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: Foamed radiation-crosslinked high density polyethylenes having substantially closed cells and uniform structure are made from radiation-crosslinked high density polyethylene compositions comprising thermosensitive foaming agents by heating such compositions while excluding molecular oxygen from contact therewith during that heating and foaming step. Oxygen is excluded by providing an oxygen-free inert gas atmosphere or by submerging the foamable material beneath the surface of a body of liquid heat transfer medium during the heating and foaming step.

Abstract: Shaped articles of organic polymer resins having cellular (foamed) structure are made from heat-expandable normally solid thermoplastic resin compositions in permeable molds particularly characterized by flooding the mold cavity and the expandable material therein with molten salt as heating medium. For example, a permeable mold, charged with pieces of polyethylene containing azobisformamide and crosslinked by electron irradiation, is immersed into a molten salt eutectic mixture of KNO.sub.3, NaNO.sub.2 and NaNO.sub.3 at about 264.degree. C, removed, cooled and washed with water, thereby forming a coherent, unitary cellular resin molded article completely filling the mold cavity.

Abstract: Expandable synthetic resinous bodies which are capable of being expanded to thermal collapse-resistant foams are prepared by impregnating a thermoplastic synthetic resinous body with a blowing or expanding agent and a cross-linking agent. Such impregnation can readily be carried out without the aid of an aqueous suspension.