Abstract: A water-absorbent water-insoluble fibre or film is produced by extruding an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer into a gaseous medium to form fibre or film. The extruded fibre or film is collected at a moisture content of 8 to 25% based on the dry weight of the fibre or film and is further dried at a temperature no greater than 100.degree. C. before crosslinking the fibre or film at a temperature in the range 125.degree. to 250.degree. C. to a degree sufficient that the crosslinked fibre or film is water-insoluble. The fibre or film entering the crosslinking step has a moisture content which is reduced, preferably by at least 5%, and which is in the range 0 to 10%. Heat-crosslinked fibre is preferably treated with moist air after crosslinking to raise the moisture content of the fibre to at least 10%, particularly if the fibre is for textile processing. Water-absorbent water-insoluble coatings can be produced by a similar process.

Abstract: In a system for the production of solvent-spun cellulose tow, trash and other undesirable material is detected by a device which projects a light beam across the tow and a receiver for the beam which initiates a signal if the beam is obscured beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A cooled pellet making machine includes a rotary cutter and a fixed blade mounted on a fixed support table in opposition to the rotary cutter for cutting a strand into pellets. Each of the fixed support table and the fixed blade are provided with a communication chamber having an inflow port formed in one end and an outflow port formed in the other end. The communication chamber of the fixed blade is connected with the communication chamber of the fixed support table. Cooling water may be circulated through the communication chamber to eliminate heat from being generated on the fixed blade. Therefore, the strand may be cut in a cooled condition by means of the rotary cutter, to produce pellets of uniform size.

Abstract: A method of producing self-texturing filaments that exhibit a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig zag. The method includes directing a quenching fluid at extruded hollow filaments of a liquid polymer predominantly from one side of the hollow filaments to thereby produce hollow filaments with different orientations on each side. Thereafter the temperature of the hollow filaments is raised to a temperature sufficient for the filaments to relax, but less than the temperature at which the filaments would shrink. When the relaxed filaments are cut into staple lengths, they tend to assume a form that provides a favorable degree of mechanical entanglement that is useful in forming resilient solid structures.

Abstract: A pelletizer for plastics a braking unit including has a brake drum disposed on a sleeve for holding a cuttler drive shaft and a diaphragm disposed on a housing. The brakes unit both biasing and axial movement of cutter knives to a die surface through the sleeve by controlling a pressure of the diaphragm, so that a longer life of the cutter knives, ensured cutting of resin, and use of cutter knives made of an inexpensive material can be achieved.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method for forming glass/polymer alloy or composite pellets of a uniform shape, and exhibiting an increased density and pellet integrity/strength. The pellets are formed by melt-blending and extruding a semi-molten strand of the glass/polymer alloy or composite and subsequently compressing and cutting the strand into pellets at a predetermined pelletizing temperature. The predetermined pelletizing temperature is that temperature at which the glass/polymer alloy or composite extruded strand is still semi-molten and deformable and at which the so-formed pellets will maintain the shape imparted to them.

Abstract: A solution of substantially pure, chemically synthesized food dye is converted to a dustless and abrasion-resistant granular composition of high physical integrity which dissolves readily when intended for use. The conversion is accomplished by subjecting the dye to sequential processing operations including spray drying, mixture with water and extrusion under controlled rate and pressure. Optional, albeit preferred additional procedures include drying the product under controlled temperature following extrusion and vibration sifting the product following drying to obtain granules of approximate uniform size prefatory to packaging.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a thermoplastic composition from carpet wherein a carpet sample are melt blended without separating the carpet into its component parts. The process of the present invention produces a thermoplastic composition useful as a substitute for virgin thermoplastics in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A device for cooling, granulating and drying molten strands of synthetic thermoplastic material emerging from dies includes a cooling unit for applying a cooling liquid to the strands and a granulator housing with a cutting roll for granulating the strands. The granulator housing is connected to an outlet duct with a sieve to separate the thermoplastic material from the cooling liquid. The sieve is arranged so that the granules separated from the strands by the cutting roll impinge directly on the sieve at basically the same speed as that imparted to the granules by the cutting roll.

Abstract: Viscose filaments, preferably in staple fibre form, which have a decitex of less than 5.0 and a multi-limbed cross-section, the limbs having a length-to-width aspect ratio of at least 2:1. Examples of multi-limbed cross-sectional shapes are Y-, X-, H- and T-shapes. The fibre can be formed into woven, non-woven or knitted fabrics, and is especially useful for absorbent products.

Abstract: An improved die, containing one or more orifices, for the extrusion of polymers is disclosed wherein the orifices are flared at the polymer discharge end, and the orifices have certain relative dimensions and configurations. The dies are useful for producing items such as films, shaped profiles, sheets, fibers, strands, etc. Also disclosed are a process for using the die, and an extrusion apparatus containing such a die.

Abstract: For the production of extrudates such as profiles or granules, pulverulent or finely divided ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is processed on single screw extruders. By the use of a screw with a specific geometry, thermal degradation of the polymer into low molecular weight products is avoided. Furthermore, profiles are obtained which have perfect surfaces, are free of voids and pores, and have no internal stresses.

Abstract: Blends of starch with acrylic polymers containing at least one of copolymerized acid or amide groups may be melt-processed into useful thermoplastic articles.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pigmented thermoplastic polymer composition which is useful as a low profile additive composition for thermosetting resins comprises the steps of(A) selecting at least one thermoplastic polymer having a refractive index which is within about 0.06 units of the refractive index of the thermosetting resin;(B) preparing a mixture of said thermoplastic polymer and at least one color pigment, dye or mixture thereof under high shear in a high-intensity mixer; and(C) forming a slurry comprising said mixture obtained in step (B) in at least one liquid copolymerizable monomer containing at least one CH.sub.2 .dbd.C< group. In a preferred embodiment, at least one surfactant is included in the slurry obtained in step (C) in an amount sufficient to enhance the uniformity of the pigmentation of a cured composite produced from the thermosetting resin composition and a low profile additive composition.

Abstract: A para-aramide dope of low degree of polymerization exhibiting an optical anisotropy containing 4-10% by weight of a para-aramide having an inherent viscosity of 1.0-2.5 dl/g and 2-10% by weight of an alkali metal chloride or an alkaline earth metal chloride in a polar amide solvent;a para-aramide fiber obtained by spinning the above-mentioned para-aramide dope of low degree of polymerization;a para-aramide pulp obtained by cutting the above-mentioned para-aramide fiber into a short fiber, mechanically fibrillating the short fiber with a high shearing force and thereafter drying the fibrillated short fiber;a process for producing a para-aramide fiber which comprises adding 0.94-0.99 mole of a para-oriented aromatic dicarboxylic acid halide to 1.00 mole of a para-oriented aromatic diamine in a polar amide solvent in which 2-10% by weight of an alkali metal chloride or an alkaline earth metal chloride is dissolved, carrying out a polymerization at a temperature of -20.degree. C. to 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A masterbatch composition for thermoplastic resin modification containing a polybutene and an ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer obtained by copolymerizing ethylene with .alpha.-olefin in the presence of specific catalysts and characterized by specific properties, and a method for preparing the composition by kneading and extrusion at a temperature ranging from the maximum peak temperature (Tm) to (Tm-45).degree. C. in accordance with differential scanning calorimetry of the copolymer are disclosed.Masterbatch pellets for thermoplastic resin modification having low surface tackiness can be obtained from the composition.

Abstract: A die plate for use in the extrusion of plastics is provided. Said die plate is capable of preventing or substantially reducing the formation of resin masses at the die face of said die plate by providing an extrusion orafice having an increased diameter in the vicinity of said die face.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydrophobic fiber for processing, inclusive of crimping, cutting, carding, compiling and bonding, without substantial loss in hydrophobic properties in the finished staple or corresponding nonwoven product through initial application of a surface modifier component comprising one or more of a class of water soluble compounds substantially free of lipophilic end groups and of low or limited surfactant properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles, particularly plate or sheet-like articles made of plastic in which very low contents of fine electrically conductive fibers are uniformly dispersed so as to make the articles conductive. It also relates to specific intermediate plastic products, referred to as grains, threads and granules, and the processes for manufacturing each of these products as well as the final conductive articles. The articles can be used as a suitable shielding against radio-frequency and high-frequency electromagnetic radiation or as antistatic plastic articles.

Abstract: A method of moulding, notably injection or compression moulding, of a composite product from an impregnation paste based upon thermosetting resin or resins and a reinforcement of glass threads, by supplying the moulds with an impregnation paste and reinforcement in the form of coated chopped direct rovings incorporated into the paste, the coating material of which includes an adhesive agent based upon polyurethane or polyurethanes.

Abstract: Polyester prepolymer granules with open-ended cavities provide greatly improved solid state polymerization rates by improving reaction by-product diffusion characteristics.

Abstract: The process of producing a detergent in the form of portioned pressings by extrusion of a homogeneous premix containing a plasticizer or lubricant into strands through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 to about 200 bar and forming compacted granules thereof, and then pressing the compacted granules into portioned pressings such as tablets.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing filling material includes guide structure wherein a tow of filling and binding fiber is continuously guided through a heating zone in which the binding fiber becomes fused to the filling fiber at least at the surface of the tow, the tow is then continuously guided through a cooling zone in which at least a surface-consolidated tow is formed, and the consolidated tow is then continuously guided into a heated cutting means and cut and fused into tufts.

Abstract: A continuous process for extrusion of thermoplastic resin of sheets, films, etc., is characterized by introducing devolatilized polymer melt into at least two branch streams, at least one of which is fed to an extrusion device and at least one of the remaining stream is connected to a pressure-adjusting device so as to obtain high quality extrusion products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing a pigmented thermoplastic polymer composition which is useful as a low profile additive composition for thermosetting resins. The process includes the steps of(A) selecting at least on thermoplastic polymer having a refractive index which is within about 0.06 units of the refractive index of the thermosetting resin;(B) preparing a mixture of said thermoplastic polymer and at least one color pigment, dye or mixture thereof under high shear in a high-intensity mixer; and(C) forming a slurry containing said mixture obtained in step (B) in at least one liquid copolymerizable monomer containing at least one CH.sub.2 .dbd.C<group. In a preferred embodiment, at least one surfactant is included in the slurry obtained in step (C) in an amount sufficient to enhance the uniformity of the pigmentation of a cured composite produced from the thermosetting resin composition and a low profile additive composition.

Abstract: A process for the production of compacted granules for use in a detergent composition by providing a homogeneous, solid, free-flowing premix to which a plasticizer or lubricant is added, and extruding the mixture through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 bar to about 200 bar to form strands of the mixture. The perforated die has an opening width corresponding to a predetermined size of the granules. After emerging from the perforated die, the strands are cut to the predetermined size of the granules by means of a cutting unit. The process enables the preparation of detergent compositions containing increased contents of surfactant components.

Abstract: Process to cool and pelletize molten strands, which issue from nozzles and are first stretched in the region following the nozzles and then are cooled for the pelletizing operation. The strands are gently cooled up to a kneadable state while stretching and compacting along a tempering region, which is designed as a fluidized bed driven with gas, in particular air, and subsequently conveyed into an intensive cooling region, where the strands are chilled with cooling water and are substantially hardened, while feeding so as to cause stretching, for the subsequently pelletizing operation.

Abstract: Three-dimensional food products such as crackers, cookies, puffed snacks, puffable glassy half-products, pet foods, pasta, confections such as chewing gum, and ready-to-eat cereals are produced on a mass production basis by feeding a dough or other food composition to a plurality of dies which shape it into ropes. The shaped extrudate ropes obtained from each die are cut by a cutting device which passes across only a portion of each of the orifices of the dies to partially cut each of the shaped extrudate ropes. The cutting device passes across the entire orifice of each of the dies to completely cut each of the partially cut extrudate ropes into individual pieces. The use of a multi-port extrusion die permits higher mass flow rates and thus greater dough piece production rates at lower cutter speeds. The use of multi-port extrusion and lower cutter speeds increases shape, definition, and accuracy of cutting and reduces scattering and deformation of the individual pieces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a thermoplastic composition from carpet wherein a carpet sample are melt blended without separating the carpet into its component parts. The process of the present invention produces a thermoplastic composition useful as a substitute for virgin thermoplastics in a variety of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making closed-cell, alkenyl aromatic polymer foam packing bodies. An alkenyl aromatic polymer material is heated to form a melt polymer material. The melt polymer material comprises greater than 50 percent by weight alkenyl aromatic monomeric units. A blowing agent is incorporated into the melt polymer material at an elevated pressure to form a foamable gel. The blowing agent has about 20 weight percent or more based upon the total weight of the first blowing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide and ethane. The foamable gel is extruded through a die to form a foam strand. The foam strand is pelletized to form a plurality of foam bodies. The bodies are further expanded by exposing them one or more times to heated air or steam. Preferably, the bodies are allowed to age for a preselected period of time after pelletizing and between subsequent expansions.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing expandable polystyrene (EPS) pellets includes a continuous process extruder, a die, a pelletizer and a hot water annealing quencher assembly. The pelletizer cuts strands of EPS material extruded from the extruder and die into uniform EPS pellets. The annealing quencher assembly includes a quencher tank, a water vortex substantially immersed therein for generating a slurry of water and EPS pellets discharged from the pelletizer, a quenching loop, and a slurry pump for pumping the slurry from the water vortex through the quenching loop to thereby anneal the EPS pellets.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing pellets which comprises introducing strands between two upper and lower feed rolls using a belt conveyor slanted downwardly in the direction of travel with a press roll mounted thereon, then introducing the strands to a support having a fixed blade on the head thereof and cutting the strands with a rotary blade while spraying a liquid onto the strands from above the support, to thereby yield pellets having no obliquely cut surfaces and having a uniform cut length.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlled cooling of thermoplastic strands between the time that they are extruded from a melt of thermoplastic material until they are cut into pellets by a pelletizer that pulls the strands into it. A first tray inclined downwardly from the extruder receives the strands which are sprayed with cooling liquid while in the tray. A second tray inclined upwardly from the bottom of the first tray toward the pelletizer receives the strands which are also sprayed while in the second tray. Cooling liquid is also introduced at the inlet end of the first tray. A gravity liquid removal screen is positioned at the low point of each tray to remove the cooling liquid from the trays. A vacuum system for removing cooling liquid from the strands may also be positioned between the higher end of the second tray and the pelletizer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating contaminated plastics waste, comprising densifying contaminated plastics waste by causing the waste to pass through a heating zone to produce molten contaminated plastics, and causing the molten contaminated plastics to flow continuously out of the heating zone under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: Spun textile yarns from new polyester staple fiber, and downstream textile articles, such as fabrics and garments, made from such, and blends thereof, wherein the staple fiber is of intentionally mixed denier, the higher denier being about twice the lower denier. Such staple fiber and precursor tows are preferably made by spinning filaments of different deniers, and collecting them in the same filament bundle on the same spinning machine, from orifices/capillaries of different diameters and/or throughputs.

Abstract: Fine denier polyester fibers are obtainable from polymer of low molecular weight to have improved uniformity and excellent mechanical properties by a high throughput process.

Abstract: A process for the production of pulp-like short fibers having a highly-oriented fibril structure without spinning is provided. This process comprises heating a mixture of water and an acrylonitrile homopolymer or copolymer to a temperature above the melting temperature of the mixture under enclosed conditions to form an amorphous melt; cooling the resulting amorphous melt to a temperature below the melting temperature to obtain a supercooled melt phase; extruding the resulting supercooled melt phase through a slit die at a temperature between the melting and the solidifying temperatures of the melt phase into an external atmosphere to give extrudates; and subjecting the resulting extrudates to drawing and heat treatment followed by beating mechanically.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing microspherules from activated carbon, including placing active-carbon particles of less than 100 .mu.m in size in a pelletizer equipped with a vortexer, incrementally adding an aqueous dispersion of a water-insoluble synthetic resin until microspherules of the desired size form, turning off the vortexer but allowing the pelletizer to continue operating, immediately powdering the microspherules off, and drying the microspherules.

Abstract: Polyimide which is obtained by polymerization and consists essentially of recurring structural units of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X is a single bond or a hexafluoroisopropylidene group, is processed to a form of pellet, followed by heat-treating to obtain crystallinity of 5% or more, and fed to an extruder to obtain articles.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a heat-vulcanizable silicone rubber compound, which includes the steps of:(i) mixing (A) a diorganopolysiloxane having a viscosity as measured at 25.degree. C. of 1.times.10.sup.5 cP or more, (B) an inorganic filler and (C) a processing aid, as basic ingredients, by a high-speed mechanical shearing machine, thereby to obtain a flowable particulate mixture in which each ingredient is present in a substantially uniformly and finely dispersed state, and(ii) continuously feeding, at a constant feed rate, said particulate mixture to a continuously kneading and extruding machine through a feed opening thereof, which machine has two screws rotating in the same direction, thereby to obtain a homogeneous silicone rubber compound from a discharge opening of said kneading and extruding machine.

Abstract: A pellet making machine used in a pellet producing process has a rotary cutter mounted to the outer periphery of a hollow rotary shaft. A fixed blade is disposed opposite to the rotary cutter, and a pellet exhaust chute is disposed below the rotary cutter and slopes downwardly therefrom. The rotary cutter is provided with an interior cooling chamber and the hollow rotary shaft is provided with water inflow holes and exhaust holes communicating with the cooling chamber of the rotary cutter. A water supply tube extends into the hollow rotary shaft and is supported within the shaft by a partition wall, which also forms a water supply passage communicating with the water inflow holes of the hollow rotary shaft and a water exhaust passage communicating with the water exhaust holes of the hollow rotary shaft.

Abstract: A device for cooling, drying, and granulating molten strands issuing from nozzles with an outlet channel, the upper end of which is located below the nozzles, a device, generating a current of cooling liquid over the outlet channel, a granulator arranged downstream of the outlet channel and with a dehydrating section that is arranged upstream of the granulator and in which the strands rest on a support provided with orifices for the unrestricted passage of the cooling liquid. The outlet channel in the region following the dehydrating section is provided with inlet nozzles that inject a current of fluid and that are so close together and arranged over such a length in its bottom that the strands are guided with respect to the bottom virtually without friction along the outlet channel in the granulator arranged at its lower end and with a degree of dehydration that enables immediate further processing.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the production of thermoplastic, caprolactam containing molding compositions by hydrolytic polymerization of caprolactam in stirrer autoclaves in which a molten mass is polymerized at pressures of 5 to 20 bar and temperatures of 220.degree. to 280.degree. C., the molten mass is transferred into an intermediate vessel to which vacuum is applied for continued polymerization and removal of volatile portions. Subsequently, the mass is continuously fed into a multi-screw extruder, in order to attain at increased temperatures and vacuum the desired polymerization degree and the desired monomer and oligomer contents. In a subsequent zone of the extruder, when desired, additional agents are worked in, whereafter a further degasification occurs in the end zone of the extruder, whereafter the mass is extruded, quenched, subdivided and dried. The method and apparatus use relatively little energy as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: Ultra-fine polymeric fibers are produced from various polymeric materials by mixing with thermoplastic poly(vinyl alcohol) and extruding the mixture through a die followed by further orientation. The poly(vinyl alcohol) is extracted to yield liberated ultra-fine polymeric fibers. The polymer utilized can include post-consumer polymer waste.

Abstract: Pulps and short fibers containing polybenzoxazole and/or polybenzothiazole or copolymers thereof can be synthesized by freezing the wet fiber straight from the coagulation bath without drying, and chopping or grinding the frozen fiber to the desired size and degree of fibrillation.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of silicone rubber moldings comprises the preparation of a silicone rubber composition by blending an organoperoxide having an activation energy of 25 to 41 kcal/mol into a semicurable organopolysiloxane composition whose main component is organopolysiloxane having organoperoxide-crosslinkable functional groups. The silicone rubber composition is made into a particulate form and heated at a temperature below 100 degrees Centigrade to produce a semicured, particulate molding material which retains the activity of the organoperoxide and which contains residual crosslinkable functional group on the organopolysiloxane. Subsequently a mold is filled with the molding material and the mold material is completely cured at a temperature of at least 100 degrees Centigrade under the application of pressure. The method is particularly useful for automatic molding methods.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing pellets which comprises introducing strands between two upper and lower feed rolls using a belt conveyor slanted down forward with a press roll mounted thereon, then introducing the strands to a support having a fixed blade on the head thereof and cutting the strands with a rotary blade while spraying a liquid onto the strands from above the support.This process can give pellets having no obliquely cut surface and having a uniform cut length.

Abstract: Extruded particles (H), especially as a precursor for pharmaceutical pellets are prepared by extruding a doughy mass in the form of a strand (G) into a gas stream (E) in which it is predried and also broken by the gas stream (E). A lance (40) is employed for the extrusion which extends through a treatment chamber (12) and carries extruder nozzles (80) opening transversely of the general flow of gas (E). A pressure gas nozzle (96) fed intermittently with pressurized air is directed to the opening range of each extruder nozzle (80).

Abstract: In order to prevent solidification of melt in the openings in an orifice plate of an underwater granulator during start-up, the water discharged from the housing of the granulator is diverted to a low pressure outlet so that during start-up a ring of water is formed on the inner surface of the housing. Thereby, melt strands from the orifice plate are cut in air and after the throughout of the melt becomes sufficiently high, the water discharged from the granulator is no longer diverted but is supplied to a post-treatment station and the housing becomes filled with water due to higher back pressure whereupon underwater granulation takes place.

Abstract: Molded article having improved thermal resistance and strength formed from a homogeneous mixture comprising from about 5 to 75 percent by weight polybenzimidazole and from about 95 to 25 percent by weight of a polyaryleneketone. These articles are obtained by injection molding techniques.