Abstract: A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of the container. A forming tool has features to facilitate forming the blank into the container.

Abstract: A brassiere includes bra cups holding a wearer's breasts. A shaping foam layer is sandwiched between outer and inner layers of each bra cup and extends from a lower to an upper edge of each cup. A support shelf assembly spans across a lower portion of each bra cup and includes a support component located proximate the lower edge of the cups, a non-stretch stabilizer fabric layer spanning between both cups and along a full length of the support component, and a supportive foam layer spanning between both cups and along the support component. The inner, outer, shaping foam, stabilizer fabric, and supportive foam layers span across a center gore that connects the bra cups to form a front panel of the brassiere. The support shelf assembly is molded between the inner layer and the shaping foam layer and is an embedded, integral part of the front panel.

Abstract: A molded component is produced by heating a non-woven material web to bring it into a plastically deformable state, and then plastically deforming the non-woven material under pressure between two mold tools of a molding apparatus. The mold tools define therebetween at least one or preferably several mold cavities that respectively simultaneously form molded products therein. A cut is formed in the plastically deformable non-woven material web, preferably between two adjacent mold cavities, immediately before and/or during the molding step. The cut facilitates a pulling or flowing of the non-woven material away from the cut and toward a respective mold cavity to facilitate the molding deformation thereof while avoiding excessive stretching and thinning of the non-woven material, especially at the transition area between adjacent mold cavities.

Abstract: A handle cover according to various exemplary embodiments can include a collapsible corrugated tube comprising a tube body of a tubular shape defining spiral corrugations having spiral ridges and spiral grooves, which are arranged alternately running transverse to a length of the tube. A slot is formed longitudinally along the length of the tube. At least one antimicrobial agent is impregnated throughout the tube for inhibiting growth of microbes.

Abstract: A draw pad reduces instances and the extent of earing when a blank of metal is clamped and punched during a drawing process that results in the formation a cup-shaped body from the blank. A draw pad for a cupping press includes an inner surface that defines a draw aperture that is configured to receive a punch. The draw pad also includes a clamping surface that has a first force concentrating segment disposed circumferentially spaced apart from a second force concentrating segment, where each force concentrating segment includes a first arcuate groove and a second arcuate groove that is disposed concentric and radially spaced apart from the first arcuate groove.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a molded body that includes a resin substrate and in which: a part or all of the surface of the substrate is coated with a hard coat; a first hard coat is formed from a coating material that does not contain inorganic particles and that contains (A) 100 parts by mass of a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, (B) 0.01-7 parts by mass of a water-repelling agent, and (C) 0.01-10 parts by mass of a silane coupling agent; and a second hard coat is formed from a coating material containing (A) 100 parts by mass of the polyfunctional (meth)acrylate and (D) 50-300 parts by mass of fine inorganic particles having an average particle size of 1-300 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a base for a mould, for a clippable bottle, comprising, on the upper face thereof, a wall for moulding the bottom of the container to be produced, from which a head extends along a longitudinal axis A2, said head comprising a peripheral surface comprising at least one blind opening, characterised in that the portion of said peripheral surface in line with said blind opening can move between a forward position, wherein said portion is aligned with the rest of said peripheral surface, and a rear position, wherein said portion is set back from the axis parallel to the axis A2 and passing through the bottom of said blind opening.

Abstract: An arrangement for producing a composite material component comprises a bagging configured to seal a receiving space for a semi-finished part against the ambient atmosphere. The bagging is a thermoformed bagging having a shape which, at least in sections, corresponds to a shape of the semi-finished part and which comprises an air-tight outer layer and an inner separation layer. The inner separation layer is configured to allow the bagging to be separated from the composite material component made from the semi-finished part. The arrangement further comprises a vacuum source connected to the receiving space and configured to generate a reduced pressure within the receiving space. The arrangement also comprises a curing apparatus configured to cure a thermoset plastic material either contained in at least one element of the semi-finished part or injected into the receiving space when the semi-finished part is sealed within the receiving space via the bagging.

Abstract: Consolidation tooling is used in a continuous compression molding machine to produce a fiber reinforced thermoplastic part having a varying height. The tooling includes first and second tool dies adapted to compress and form a multi-ply stack of thermoplastic prepreg into a part, and at least a first tooling sleeve movable through the first and second tool dies. The tooling sleeve has at least a first tapered portion engageable with the multi-ply stack.

Abstract: A non-crimp fabric includes at least two superimposed layers made from multifilament reinforcing yarns arranged parallel to each other, and at least one layer made from a non-woven made from thermoplastic polymer material on and/or between the layers made from multifilament reinforcing yarns, wherein the non-woven includes a first polymer component and a second polymer component whose melting temperatures lie below the melting or decomposition temperature of the reinforcing yarns. The first polymer component has a lower melting temperature than the second polymer component, and the first polymer component is soluble in epoxy matrix resins, cyanate ester matrix resins, benzoxazine matrix resins, or mixtures thereof. The second polymer component is not soluble in epoxy matrix resins, cyanate ester matrix resins, benzoxazine matrix resins, or mixtures thereof. A preform is made from the non-crimp fabric.

Abstract: A foamed plastic container in which the cell diameters vary along a gradient so as not to decrease the content protection performance, in a manner quite different from the foamed cells distributed in the conventional foamed containers. The foamed plastic container has a container wall formed by using a plastic material and in which foamed cells are distributed, the lengths of the foamed cells in the surface direction of the container wall decreasing from the outer surface of the container toward the inner surface thereof.

Abstract: A connecting piece for a duct such as a ventilation duct is provided and includes an inner flow space in communication with the interior of the duct, the connecting piece having at least one joining portion on which an end region of the duct is slidable and fixable. The connecting piece includes a compressed fiber material and a binder. The connecting piece displays a substantially configurationally stable portion in association with the joining portion, and the connecting piece displays, at least interiorly, a layer which is impervious to a fluid, in particular a gas, this layer being adjacent the inner flow space of the connecting piece.

Abstract: A multi-layered laminate for producing membranes for electroacoustic transducers, comprises a first layer of a polyether ether ketone film having a heat of crystallisation of at least 15 J/g, a second layer (of a thermoplastic plastic film having a heat of crystallisation of no more than 5 J/g, and an adhesive layer arranged between the first and second layers. Alternatively, the first and second layers are defined by their shrinkage properties after 15 minutes at 200° C.: the first layer has shrinkage of more than 10% in at least one direction, and the second layer has shrinkage of less than 10% in the longitudinal and transverse directions. A laminate constructed in this manner exhibits lower fold formation when processed using multi-cavity thermoforming. The laminates are useful for the production of membranes for electroacoustic transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for molding breast cups in a seamless circularly-knitted brassiere having a breast-covering portion and a torso encircling band, the apparatus comprising a base, a rear wall extending upwardly from the base, an upper mold plate extending outwardly and substantially horizontally from the rear wall, the upper plate having a pair of spaced openings formed therethrough, the openings spaced and dimensioned to correspond to a pair of breast cups, and a plate intermediate to the base and the upper mold plate, and being vertically moveable between a first, upper position and a second, lower position for securing a brassiere blank in position against the upper plate for the molding of breast cups therein.

Abstract: A material layering device may include a first pinning roller and a second pinning roller. A distance between the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller is less than a diameter of a substrate. The device also includes a return system, wherein the return system comprises a plurality of rollers. The device also includes a belt, which may have a first loop portion disposed between and protruding beyond the first pinning roller and the second pinning roller. The first loop portion also wraps about an intended substrate along an arc greater than about 180 degrees. The device further includes a feed portion coupled to the first loop and extending outwardly from the second pinning roller opposite the first loop and providing a surface upon which a sheet can be placed. Furthermore, the device also includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to one of the rollers.

Abstract: A method for producing a film having a fine irregular pattern intermittently includes feeding a film to be processed intermittently from upstream side to the vicinity of the surface of a die having a fine irregular pattern, transferring the pattern to the surface of the film by pressing the film against the surface of a die, stripping the processed film on which a pattern is formed from the surface of a die, and then feeding a new film to be processed to the die, wherein the processed film is stripped from the surface of a die by gripping and moving the processed film to the upstream side, and then the processed film is fed by a length of intermittent feed to the surface of a die while preventing the processed film from creasing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making a multilayer container which comprises: a primary stretching and heat-setting process wherein a multilayer sheet comprising a A-PET layer, a functional resin layer and a sealant layer, is heated, primarily stretched and then primarily heat-set, and a secondary stretching and heat-setting process wherein the multilayer sheet treated in the primary stretching and heat-setting process is molded with heating by a mold of a thermoforming machine while secondary stretching is performed, followed by secondary heat-setting in the same mold.

Abstract: A container and a method for making a container having inwardly formed threads are provided. The container includes a body portion having a bottom portion and a sidewall portion. A neck portion is formed above the body portion and defines an opening at a top of the container. The neck portion includes a vertical cylinder portion extending vertically upward from the body portion, the vertical cylinder portion having a thread portion formed as a concave profile around the vertical cylinder portion.

Abstract: A laminate of thermoplastic film materials exhibiting throughgoing porosity and comprising plies A and B, A having an inner surface A1 partly in contact with B and an outer surface A2, and B having an inner surface BI partly in contact with A and an outer surface B2, A and B consisting of continuous material except for a multitude of perforations in each ply, whereby essentially no perforation in A corresponds directly to a perforation in B, the lamination between A and B on surfaces A1 and B1 being a) through a coextruded lower melting lamination layer on A and/or B and b) established in such discontinuous manner that there is formed a channel system between A1 and B1 connecting the majority of the perforations in A each with at least one of the perforations in B, and connecting the majority of the perforations in B each with at least one of the perforations in A is provided in addition to a process and apparatus for producing such a laminate.

Abstract: Flexible tubular film (10) is helically cut into a flat strip by unwinding the tubular film in flattened form by a tumbling unwinder (1), advancing the flat film tube to a tube expansion zone (17) in which the flat tube is expanded into a circular cylindrical tube and is passed axially over a hollow mandrel (14) slightly lower in external diameter than the diameter of the expanded tube to be cut by knife (18) helically while on the mandrel into a flat strip that is removed at an angle to the mandrel axis. The flat tube is longitudinally stretched by stretching rollers (107-112), which tumble with the tumbling unwinder. The apparatus further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing the orientation applied by the tumbling stretching rollers, applied to the helically cut film strip after it has been drawn from the mandrel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoforming device for thermoforming a product (1) from a plastic foil (23), and to a corresponding method. The invention relates particularly to a thermoforming process and device in which a slot (2) is arranged in a product (1) to be formed. The invention also relates to a product (1), particularly a flowerpot, manufactured using this thermoforming device or method. The thermoforming device is characterized in that the cutting sleeve (10) and cutting plate (7) and/or hold-down element (8) define an auxiliary cutting line through which the plastic foil (23) is cut in order to arrange a slot (2) in the product (1) to be formed. The functions of slot-forming and product-foil separation are hereby performed by substantially the same components.

Abstract: Process of making a plastic component (1), in particular luggage shell, from self-reinforced thermoplastic material, to a plastic component (1) made of self-reinforced thermoplastic material and an apparatus for making such a plastic component, in particular luggage shell (7). The invention provides a new product and process for manufacturing same on the basis of self-reinforced thermoplastic material by means of the step of tensioning said material (lamina), at least partially tensioning said lamina during all follow-up component shaping and/or molding steps up to a release of a component pre-form shape from the remainder lamina, to form the component. The present invention allow the manufacturing of an ultra-light weight luggage shell (7) on the basis of using self-reinforced thermoplastic material, the manufacturing of same can be further enhanced by permanently tensioning said material during all manufacturing steps up to the final finishing of the product.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoformed article which is relatively isotropic in terms of shrinkage of the final thermoformed article along the sheet extrusion flow path (the longitudinal direction) and the transverse direction. The article is prepared from an isotactic polypropylene produced by the polymerization of propylene with an isospecific metallocene catalyst. The polymer has a melt flow rate within the range of 1-5 grams/10 minutes and a melting temperature of no more than 160° C. The polypropylene is extruded to provide a sheet which is oriented in at least one direction and has a thickness of 10-100 mils. The sheet is heated to a temperature of 135-160° C, and thermoformed in contact with a template having the desired configuration to produce the thermoformed article. The thermoformed article is then cooled and retrieved from the template to arrive at the final product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet which is excellent in tensile strength, tencile modulas and heat resistance, and a light laminate-molded body using the same, which has a low linear expansion coefficient and is excellent in impact resistance, durability, easiness of handling, productivity, and others. A process for producing an oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet, which includes: pultrusion-drawing a thermoplastic polyester resin sheet in an amorphous state at a temperature from the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin ?20° C. to the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyester resin +20° C.; and then drawing the resultant uniaxially at a temperature higher than the temperature for the pultrusion-drawing. A laminate-molded body, wherein a thermoplastic resin layer is laminated on each of the surfaces of the resultant oriented thermoplastic polyester resin sheet.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

Abstract: Methods for making collagen based biocomposite constructs and related devices include: (a) winding at least one collagen fiber a number of revolutions about a length of a support member having a long axis, the winding having at least one defined pitch and/or fiber angle relative to the long axis of the support member to form an elongate construct; and (b) applying a fluid polymeric material, such as, for example, an acrylate emulsion and/or other thermoplastic material, onto the collagen fiber during the winding step. Optionally, the fluid polymeric material can include antibiotics and/or other therapeutic agents for additional function/utility.

Abstract: Toughened, plasticized poly(hydroxyalkanoic acid) polymer compositions comprising poly(trimethylene ether) glycol and ethylene ester copolymers are provided.

Abstract: A device for making a carbon nanotube film includes a substrate and a catalyst layer on the substrate. The catalyst layer has two substantially parallel sides. The present disclosure also provides a method for making a carbon nanotube film. The catalyst layer is annealed at a high temperature in air. The annealed catalyst layer is heated up to a predetermined reaction temperature in a furnace with a protective gas therein. A carbonaceous gas is supplied into the furnace to grow a carbon nanotube array having two substantially parallel side faces. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. A drawing direction is substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel side faces of the carbon nanotube array.

Abstract: A machine and a method for forming composite materials are provided. The machine includes a frame and at least one forming beam attached to the frame, the at least one beam being arranged to align with a mandrel. The forming beam is pivotally segmented into at least two segments to conform to the shape of the mandrel, or alternately is bendable to conform to the shape of the mandrel. The mandrel is receivable within the frame in alignment with the forming beam. An apparatus is also provided to position a composite charge over the mandrel, and to position the mandrel within the frame. A further apparatus is provided to transport the mandrel, and to urge the mandrel toward the forming beam, forming a composite charge.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a molded product from a sheet-form raw material blank has first and second mold tools that each respectively include a respective inner core mold and a respective outer edge mold laterally adjacent thereto. Drive elements drive the outer edge molds relative to a machine frame, and drive the inner core molds relative to the outer edge molds. A molding process involves closing the outer edge molds to hold an edge rim of the material blank while allowing slippage thereof, and then closing the inner core molds to three-dimensionally deform and mold a central portion of the material blank while pulling required additional material by slippage through the outer edge molds. A separate slip frame is not used. The edge rim held by the outer edge molds remains as a permanent mounting rim or flange of the finished molded product. Edge waste is minimized.

Abstract: A method of imprinting a microstructure comprising: contacting a stamper comprising a pattern layer with the microstructure of the order of from micrometers to nanometers in one face of the pattern layer and a substrate supporting the pattern layer with an imprinting member having a deformable layer to which the microstructure is imprinted, wherein the pattern layer is supported on a round surface having a prescribed radius of curvature of the substrate, the center of the round surface protruding towards the rear face of the pattern layer; causing the deformable layer on the imprinting member; and separating the stamper from the cured deformable layer.

Abstract: A plastic sheet having cloth-like appearance and thermoplasticity and provided with melt patterns in the sheet face, the melt patterns formed in a predetermined arrangement under an elongating condition of the plastic sheet so as to form convex-concave wrinkles in regions between neighboring melt patterns in the plastic sheet under an un-elongating condition.

Abstract: A multi-ply tissue includes a first cellulosic embossed ply having an emboss pattern applied over a portion of its surface and a second cellulosic embossed ply of tissue. The first ply is contact laminated to the second ply so that the primary adhesion between the plies of tissue is the result of contact between cellulosic fibers. The first and second plies contact one another in contact areas, with the contact areas between the first and second plies defining compliant voids. The contact areas between the first ply and the second ply are elongated and/or rounded contact areas.

Abstract: A method for forming composite materials is presented, including providing a composite charge wider than a first surface of a mandrel, and positioning the composite charge across the first surface of the mandrel. The portion of the composite charge overhanging the first surface of the mandrel is supported and urged against the mandrel while supporting the unbent portion of the composite charge substantially parallel to the first surface of the mandrel. The invention also provides a system, using a compression mold of forming bladders and heater plates, to form a composite charge over a mandrel, while supporting the unbent portions of the composite charge during forming substantially parallel to the upper surface of the mandrel. The present invention minimizes the shear zone where plies in the composite laminate charge slide past one another during the forming process reducing or eliminating out-of-plane fiber buckling.

Abstract: An oriented polymer composition containing thirty to 95 weight-percent inert inorganic filler and a continuous phase of at least one orientable polymer contains void spaces due to cavitation and has a density of less than 0.8 grams per cubic centimeter, a flexural modulus of 1.4 gigapascals or more, cross section dimensions all greater than 1.5 millimeters, a delamination force value of 44.5 Newtons (ten pounds force) or more and little or no blowing agent.

Abstract: A system and method for making shaped bands includes stretching a band into a shape, heating the band to a softening point of a material of the band, and cooling the band to room temperature, such that the band sets into the shape. Other embodiments include an apparatus comprising a pegboard with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of pegs configured to be inserted into corresponding holes from the plurality of holes, wherein the corresponding holes are located at vertices of a shape, and stretching the band around the pegs into the shape. Another embodiment includes attaching the band to a metal wire and bending the metal wire into the shape.

Abstract: A themolaminating film for receiving a blister portion in the construction of a reusable package is described. A base blister portion configured to receive some form of media or material is molded from a formable heat sealable polymer such as PETG. A film consisting of a first layer of an amorphous polyester such as APET for heat sealing to the PETG, a second layer of a polyester such as PET, and an adhesive layer is used to laminate a graphical paper based cover thereby allowing the laminated cover to be heat sealed to the blister portion. In a preferred embodiment, the PET and APET are preferably coextruded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Abstract: Methods of making a removable dental positioning appliance include forming a sheet of transparent crystalline polymeric material into a shell having cavities shaped to receive and reposition teeth from a first orientation to a successive orientation. The polymeric material may then be annealed at a temperature above its glass transition temperature or cured if a curable material to enhance characteristics of the polymeric material. The polymeric material may be coated with a second transparent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for custom fitting an article of footwear is disclosed. A container holding the article of footwear includes a steaming assembly that allows a customer to subject the article of footwear to steam. The method can include cooling the article of footwear on the customer's foot to custom fit the article of footwear.

Abstract: A cup-shaped closing material having a convex section is fitted on a protrusion-like engagement section of a distal end of a mandrel with a gap from the engagement section of the mandrel, a molten resin is then disposed in a cavity of a molding die and a holepin having an outer peripheral section of a distal end that is smaller than an outer periphery of the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material is pressed against the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material, whereby the distal end surface of the convex section of the closing material is pleated to form an annular protrusion section at the outer peripheral section, and the molten resin is caused to envelope the annular protrusion section, while being pushed and charged into the cavity, whereby the head part with the closing material attached thereto is formed.

Abstract: A crystalline polymer microporous membrane, which contains: a microporous film formed of a crystalline polymer, which has a plurality of pores; and a hydrophilic polymer containing a hydroxyl group, which covers exposed surfaces of the microporous film, wherein the plurality of pores have a larger average pore diameter at a first surface of the film than the average pore diameter at a second surface of the film, and the average pore diameter of the pores continuously changes from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: An improved spa shell is vacuum formed using a mold and removable edge parts. The edge parts are positioned on a shoulder surrounding a top edge of the mold. A sheet of plastic is heated and pulled down over the mold and edge parts by clamps. Vacuum is drawn from the interior of the mold for forming the shell interior and through the edge parts to draw the plastic into a channel surrounding the spa shell edge to form a belt and recessed lip. After cooling, the shell is lifted away from the mold, also separating the edge parts from the mold. The edge parts are then free to extract from the shell. The formed shell may be assembled with a spa frame, and wall pieces removably positioned around the exterior of the spa by engaging the recessed lip.

Abstract: A device for making a carbon nanotube film includes a substrate and a catalyst layer on the substrate. The catalyst layer has two substantially parallel sides. The present disclosure also provides a method for making a carbon nanotube film. The catalyst layer is annealed at a high temperature in air. The annealed catalyst layer is heated up to a predetermined reaction temperature in a furnace with a protective gas therein. A carbonaceous gas is supplied into the furnace to grow a carbon nanotube array having two substantially parallel side faces. A carbon nanotube film is drawn from the carbon nanotube array. A drawing direction is substantially parallel to the two substantially parallel side faces of the carbon nanotube array.

Abstract: Drawn tape, fiber or filament including a multimodal resin having a density of at least 940 kg/m3, a melt index MI5 of 0.05 to 5 g/10 min, and a molecular weight distribution of the resin being less than 40.

Abstract: A flexible, elastically gathered cover for food containers or the like, and a method of making such covers, uses a forming machine with a lower section having: a) a square shaped forming mandrel having a top, four substantially vertical sides, and a heating element extending longitudinally along each side, b) four elongated sealing bars having a tops with a guide and a front with an elongated strip of rubber attached, and c) a cover ejector with upwardly extending ejector pins. Each sealing bar is positioned opposite a respective side of the forming mandrel separated to create a forming groove around the mandrel. An upper section having a forming head assembly comprises: a) a forming die with sides that define a cavity sized to telescope over the forming mandrel, and b) a band ejector plate with plural downwardly extending ejector pins located along the perimeter. The forming die hangs below the band ejector plate.

Abstract: This aims to provide a press-apparatus mold capable of improving the yield of a blank while preventing wrinkles and cracks in a finished product, and an open-drawing method according to the press-apparatus mold. Within a range corresponding to the excess thickness portion (6) of a blank (4), the width of a punch (3) is gradually enlarged toward the end of the punch (3), thereby to curve boundaries (or the punch ridgelines (3d and 3e)) formed by the upper face (3a) and the side faces (3b and 3c) of the punch (3), toward the end of the punch (3) and to the widthwise outer sides of the punch (3). At the same time, the width of the recess (1a) of a die (1) is gradually enlarged toward the end of the recess (1a), thereby to curve a drawing profile (8) set by the punch (3) and the die (1), toward the ends of the punch (3) and the recess (1a) and to the widthwise outer sides of the punch (3) and the recess (1a).

Abstract: A coating composition is based on a polyester mixed with an alkyl-etherified melamine formaldehyde. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoforming to conform thereto. The contoured partially cured coating layer is then heat cured to form a cured coating. A hydroxyl-terminated polyoxetane containing repeat units derived from oxetane monomers having one or two pendent —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups, wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, can be esterified with polyester-forming reactants to form a fluorinated polyoxetane-modified polyester.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laminar shaped article comprising a heterogeneous blend of (a) a composition comprising a vinyl halide or vinylidene halide polymer and optionally an ethylene copolymer containing carboxyl and/or carbon monoxide moieties, and (b) a polyolefin functionalized with a comonomer selected from the group consisting of maleic anhydride, maleic acid diesters, maleic acid monoesters, itaconic anhydride, itaconic acid diesters, itaconic acid monoesters, fumaric acid diesters, fumaric acid monoesters, or combinations thereof as a compatibilizer; and (c) a polyamide wherein the polyamide is present in the vinyl halide or vinylidene halide polymer as a multitude of overlapping layers.

Abstract: A foamed sheet of a base resin containing 50 to 100% by weight of a polylactic acid resin and having an apparent density of 63 to 630 kg/m3, a thickness of 0.5 to 7 mm and endothermic and exothermic calorific values of ?Hendo:2 and ?Hexo:2, respectively, as measured by heat flux differential scanning calorimetry at a heating rate of 2° C./min. The endothermic calorific value ?Hendo:2 is at least 10 J/g and the difference (?Hendo:2-?Hexo:2) between the endothermic calorific value ?Hendo:2 and the exothermic calorific value ?Hexo:2 is more than 20 J/g and less than 40 J/g. A foam molding such as a receptacle is prepared by thermoforming the foamed sheet.