Abstract: A forming assembly comprises two presser members (22,24) each having a corrugated surface for receiving a workpiece made up of generally diamond-shaped pockets (10). Each presser member is made up of sections (22a,22b; 24a, 24b) mounted on slide rods (38) for movement between a spaced-apart position, in which a workpiece can be located therebetween, and a closed position, movement into which, while the workpiece is held between the presser members, is effective to compress the workpiece laterally. For holding the pockets in their diamond shape formers (20) are inserted therein. A flange (18) is formed at one end of the workpiece and integral therewith by pressing outwardly folded material against a lateral end face of the presser members (22,24) using a presser plate (52). This forming method is especially suitable for forming self-supporting filter units.

Abstract: A rigidized fiber filter element is produced from a precursor fiber web. The precursor fiber web contains heat-shrinkable fibers or binder fibers or both. The web is exposed to temperatures sufficiently elevated to cause shrinkage of the fibers or melting of the binder. After cooling the web, the filter elements produced are self-supporting, and may have densities up to 500 kg/m.sup.3 to improve filtration while retaining good functional characteristics for operating pressure drop and air permeability. Rigidized fiber filter elements can be constructed of one material, and thus may be suitable for recycling.

Abstract: System and method for densifying expanded thermoplastic foam materials such as loose fill packing materials, larger blocks of such materials, and food and beverage service items to reduce the volume of such materials for recycling or disposal. The material is heated to soften the material and expel gas from cells within the material and thereby shrink the material to a reduced volume. In some embodiments, and the material is further densified by compacting the heat softened material to further reduce the volume.

Abstract: A device and method of producing a multi-layer film composite is provided. In accordance with the device and method, a temperature-controllable or heatable roll serves as a sealing tool, on the circumferential surface of which a number of plastic film webs are sealed together under the application of pressure and heat. The plastic film webs come into contact with the circumferential surface of the roll at equal or varying distances from each other and are guided over pressure rolls. These pressure rolls are in contact with the circumferential surface of the heatable roll under pressure. The plastic film webs pass through the gaps between the pressure rolls and the heatable roll. The plastic film webs are alternately sealing layer-free or provided on one or both sides with sealing layers, which are fused by the action of heat, so that sealing of the laminated plastic film webs on the circumferential surface of the heatable roll occurs.

Abstract: A heat recoverable, shrink-object is made from a mesh or web assembly having thermoplastic threads that extend in a first direction, and second threads that are essentially non-stretchable and run transversely to the first threads, that assembly is embedded in a polymer matrix which is then crosslinked; the thermoplastic threads do not crosslink; the matrix with embedded mesh or web is then heated to a temperature above the crystallite melting point of the polymer matrix and the thermoplastic threads are stretched into an elongated state at that temperature, and the stretching is maintained during subsequent cooling until a lower temperature including room temperature is reached and stretching is no longer needed to maintain said elongated state.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method comprises tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: A rigid self-supporting filter unit is produced by placing two portions of fiber fabric in face-to-face contact and stitching them along parallel regions, using two rows of stitches (16), to form pockets into which formers (20) are inserted to shape the pockets into a generally diamond shape. This assembly is then placed between two presser members (22, 24) which are corrugated, the "valleys" of the corrugations receiving the diamond-shaped formed portions. The presser members are heated and the portions are thus treated by heat and pressure to cause the fabric to be rendered rigid. The formers can then be removed. Suitable fibers for this purpose include a rigidising fiber known as P84, polyphenylene sulphide fibers, polyester fibers either alone or mixed with polypropylene fibers, and bicomponent fibers.

Abstract: Heat shrink tubing is disposed about a pneumatic tool and heat shrunk into position on the tool. Foraminous material is located between the tubing and tool in a restricted fluid-flow passageway extending between a tool air flow outlet and an end of the heat shrunk tubing.

Abstract: A labelled padlock has a body circumscribed by a heat shrunk plastic sleeve displaying a notice. The notice can be imprinted on a hermetically sealed label adhesively affixed to the body of the padlock before a transparent sleeve is applied, or on a surface of the sleeve itself.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container capable of withstanding, without appreciable deformation, relatively severe thermal conditions encountered during processing by filling with a hot liquid or pasteurization of the contents of the container. The process inlcudes the following steps, on an amorphous PET preform which includes a body and a neck section which already possesses the final shape and dimensions of the PET container to be formed, heating only the body, exclusive of the neck section, of the PET preform to a temperature at least equal to the PET-softening temperature; in a mold, blow molding the heated preform body to form an intermediate container whose body has dimensions greater, by about 20% with respect to height and by 0 to about 30% transversely, than the dimensions of the PET container to be formed, while cooling the mold walls holding the intermediate container to a temperature of about 5.degree. to about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.

Abstract: Central is a nonstretchable, high strength thread that extends transverse to stretching, either of individual heat recoverable strands or of an embedding layer. The thread is either placed across plural heat recoverable strands, or plural threads are individually wrapped around the strands, or there is a plurality of helices on thermoplastic strings in a heat recoverable embedment, with further transverse high strength threads being interwoven with the helices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the formation of biaxially oriented thermoplastic articles having flat surfaces or sharp contours, along with the articles themselves. Such apparatus and method relate to the heat-shrinking of biaxially oriented intermediates onto male forms to produce articles of exacting dimensions and flat surfaces or sharply defined contours. Such thermoplastic articles include autoclaveable, hot fillable, heat stable, transparent PET containers.

Abstract: A heat shield retainer and method for mounting a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. The heat shield retainer comprises a nut and bolt combination and a retainer body. The retainer body has bulbous pegs located on a first side thereof for engaging within corresponding sockets located within a fuel tank to secure the retainer body to the fuel tank. The retainer body further includes a releasable channel located on a second side thereof for releasably connecting the nut and bolt thereto. One or more retainers of the present invention may be employed to mount a heat shield onto a polymeric fuel tank. After a polymeric tank has been formed, and before it has cooled, the respective pegs of each heat shield retainer are inserted into corresponding sockets located within the fuel tank. As the tank cools, the polymeric material of the tank defining the sockets contracts about the pegs. As a result, after the tank cools, the pegs are locked within the sockets, and hence to the fuel tank.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes can change dimensions upon drying or other processing creating leaks in tubesheets formed on fiber bundles. An adherent layer is formed in contact with an inner surface of each tubesheet and the fiber membranes therein in such a manner as to fill gaps formed between the hollow fiber membranes and each tubesheet during the drying or processing of the hollow fiber membranes and tubesheets. Preferably, the adherent layer is cast from a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A containing an acrylo-nitrile-modified polyamine curing agent and the hollow fibers are cellulose ester.

Abstract: An optical disk having a pair of axially oppositely directed faces and an annular outer periphery is made by first forming a mold cavity corresponding to the shape of the disk between a pair of axially spaced parts and a demolding ring sandwiched between the parts. The cavity is then filled with a hardenable resin such that the parts form the respective faces and an inner periphery of the ring forms the outer periphery of the disk and the resin is at least partially hardened in the cavity. The parts are then axially oppositely separated from each other and from the disk to leave the disk in the ring with both of its faces exposed and the ring is then transversely displaced with the disk engaged in it out from between the mold parts. The disk is then cooled and shrunk such that its outer periphery separates from the inner periphery of the ring and the disk separates from the ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat resistant plastic vessel including: injection molding a preform; primary stretch blow molding the preform to obtain a primary blow-mold object; heat-shrinking the primary blow-mold object; and secondary stretch blow molding the heat-shrunk object to obtain a secondary blow-mold object as a heat-resistant plastic vessel. In the primary stretch blow molding process, a concavity is formed on a body of the primary blow-mold object. The concavity has a thickness larger than the other body portion. In the heat-shrunk object, the large thickness portion has a lower heat retaining capacity than the other body portion. The heat-shrunk object then undergoes the secondary stretch blow molding process, thereby obtaining the secondary blow-mold object, which has a large thickness portion corresponding to the concavity of the primary blow-mold object to assure high mechanical strength such as buckling strength of the final product.

Abstract: An image to be printed on shrink film for packaging an object is predistorted before printing so that the printed image will return to substantially its original form when the part of the film bearing the image is shrunk against a predetermined part of the object. The image is subdivided and the subdivisions are enlarged to provide the desired predistorted image.

Abstract: A process for preparing a granular detergent composition or component having a bulk density of at least 550 g/l, which comprises(i) feeding a liquid acid precursor of an anionic surfactant, a solid water-soluble alkaline inorganic material and optionally other materials into a high-speed mixer/densifier, the mean residence time being from about 5 to 30 seconds;(ii) subsequently treating the granular detergent material in a moderate-speed granulator/densifier, whereby it is brought into or maintained in a deformable state, the mean residence time being from about 1-10 minutes; and finally(iii) drying and/or cooling the detergent material.

Abstract: A self-deploying structural element formed of a core or temperature sensitive expanding foam, a load carrying component of advanced composite material, and an outer retaining jacket. A heat generating means such as resistance heating wires is included to initiate deployment of the structure. The heating of the structure causes the foam core to expand, unrolling or unfolding the structure. The heat also cures the advanced composite material to a rigid form. The retaining jacket is preferably a heat shrink jacket which contracts around the composite material.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a used mandrel made of a fluororesin, includes the steps of heating the mandrel under substantially unloaded conditions to a temperature above the temperature at which the fluororesin is crystallized and gradually cooling the mandrel to a temperature below the temperature at which the fluororesin is crystallized.

Abstract: A heat tipping method and apparatus for surgical sutures to facilitate inserting the sutures into the barrel ends of surgical needles. The method includes tensioning the suture, heating a portion of the suture to be heat tipped by blowing a current of hot air across the portion of the suture, and releasing the tension and cutting the portion of the suture to create heat tipped ends. The apparatus includes a cylindrical drum around which the suture is wound, a concave channel in the drum for delimiting a portion of the suture to be heated, and hot air blowers for heating the delimited portions of the suture to a heat tipping temperature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for manufacturing heat-activatable articles from a synthetic thermoplastic material on which a shape memory is impressed by introducing molecular orientations and molecular structures. These articles, after the impressing of the shape memory, are subsequently subject to a further change in shape, at least in sub-regions thereof. The shape memory is influenced by this further change in shape.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition or component having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l can be prepared by treating a particulate starting material(i) in a first step in a high-speed mixer/densifier, the mean residence time being from about 5-30 seconds;(ii) in a second step in a moderate-speed granulator/densifier, whereby it is brought into, or maintained in, a deformable state, the mean residence time being from about 1-10 minutes and(iii) in a final step in drying and/or cooling apparatus.Preferably, the deformable state is induced in the first step.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of a used thermal stencil master sheet, in a superior disposing efficiency and secret-retainability, and a process for disposing of the same are provided, which apparatus is provided with a stripping nail for stripping a used thermal stencil master sheet wound up on a stencil body therefrom, a waste stencil box for encasing the stripped master sheet and rolls for waste stencil for feeding the master sheet into the box, and is characterized by providing a means for heating the master sheet so that it is heat-shrinked and/or melted within the box, and which process comprises discarding the used master sheet of a thermal stencil master sheet, and heating the used master sheet so as to subject it to heat-shrinkage and/or melting.

Abstract: A conformable electromagnetic radiation suppression cover comprising one or more absorbing material(s) and a sealant. The cover conforms to the shape of a reflecting structure due to forces internal to the absorbing material(s) when the cover is subjected to an agent external to the cover. The absorber comprises dissipative particles bound in a conformable polymeric binder. The sealant is positioned to seal the conformable cover to the reflecting structure, and provides environmental protection to the structure and preferably better adhesion between the cover and the structure. In a preferred embodiment, the volume of the cover is varied before shrinkage to produce a cover thickness in the direction of incident radiation, as measured after shrinkage, which produces a preselected resonant frequency for the cover. The cover may include a conductive surface, such as a metallic foil. Impedance matching materials are preferred but not required.

Abstract: A printed container for food packaging, particularly a heat-resistant printed container for food packaging which can be subjected to heat sterilization and heat cooking, can be produced by a process which comprises winding, around the side of a container main body, a label consisting of a transparent heat-shrinkable resin film having a cylindrical shape whose circumference is slightly larger than the circumference of said side and further having a print at the inner side, and then carrying out:a step of subjecting said heat-shrinkable resin film to heat shrinkage, anda step of melt-bonding a part of the heat-shrinkable resin film to the container main body.

Abstract: An atherectomy device includes a transparent lumen for providing inflation medium to an inflatable balloon. A dual lumen flexible tube includes an opaque flexible torque member in a first lumen, while the second lumen serves as an inflation lumen. The distal end of the inflation lumen is expanded to define the balloon, and no seals are needed between the balloon and the inflation lumen.

Abstract: Novel processes for preparing a heat shrinkable film by first forming a polyolefinic film on a three-roll calender in which the second and third rolls rotate at about the same speed and the first roll rotates at a slower speed, the top roll is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the polyolefinic material, the middle roll is heated to an elevated temperature below its melting point, and the bottom roll is chilled relative thereto; thereafter subjecting one surface of the resulting film to irradiation from a low energy electron beam at a voltage such that the irradiation dose at the half-depth of the film is approximately one-half the dose at the irradiated surface and at a current to film surface speed ratio such that the surface dose would effect crosslinking sufficient to impart to said film a 100% modulus at 150.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a shrinkable product of a thermoplastic raw material by extrusion. The raw material (1) is extruded through a die (3) to form a pipe (18), whereafter the pipe is cut longitudinally in a cutter (7), spread out, and wound on to a reel (19, 17). The production rate is low and rapid cooling is carried out in a calibration gauge (4). When reheated, a bandlike product (9) thereby shrinks vigorously and is welded to the object in question.

Abstract: A heat deformable tube having a melt liner of noncross-linked, cross-linkable thermoplastic material, such that upon heating to a temperature high enough to cause the tube to return to its original shape; the melt liner melts and encapsulates the substrate.

Abstract: A method of producing a fluidic module from two or more pieces (B.sub.1 B.sub.2) of plastic material having an intermolecular bonded interface, comprises forming an interface surface (2) on each piece, forming at least one fluidic passageway (4) in at least one of the interface surfaces, assembling the pieces with the interface surfaces in contact with each other and confining them against expansion. Heat is applied to the assembled pieces to induce their expansion against total or limited confinement to cause transmigration of molecules from one interface surface to the other to bond the pieces together.

Abstract: Paint-coated polymeric films which are bonded to substrates such as automobile panels, as a substitute for spray painted finishes, often develop surface blemishes or defects from the coating or web handling operations. These can be reduced or eliminated by vacuum thermoforming the film to the desired substrate in a plural stage procedure. The periphery of the film is clamped in a frame. Then the film is preheated to a temperature above its glass transition temperature until the film becomes taut in the frame. It is allowed to cool and is then reheated to at least the glass transition temperature and is then vacuum thermoformed to the substrate. This procedure eliminates many if not all of the visible surface defects in the thermoformed film.

Abstract: A closure device for shrinkwraps comprising a high temperature-resistant, flame-resistant and dimensionally stable backing layer, a cross linked, high temperature-resistant, shear-resistant, and flame-resistant pressure sensitive adhesive applied to one surface of the backing layer; a heat-shrinkable film dimensionally smaller than the pressure sensitive adhesive layer positioned on the adhesive layer so as to maintain a peripheral area of exposed pressure sensitive adhesive; and an optional release liner applied so as to protect the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive layer from premature and unwanted contact prior to use.

Abstract: A process for producing a gel fiber comprises a step (N) of spinning a solution containing at least one polymer having at least one monomer unit as a constituent component for a gel to solidify the solution into a fiber, and step (M) of effecting crosslinking of the fiber to form a gel which can be swelled or shrunk reversibly by a thermal action in the presence of a liquid.

Abstract: An uncomplicated system of restoring a smoother, non-slip, splinter free gripping surface to a rough tool handle. Thin walled, heat shrinkable tubing is fitted over the rough handle and heated with a common "gun" style household hand-held hair dryer with an auxiliary air concentration nozzle to reduce the diameter of the tubing. The tubing recovers sufficiently to adhere to the outer diameter of the handle. The irregularities of the crevices and bumps on the rough handle present recessions into which the tubing conforms. Due to the thin walled nature of the tubing, the irregularities extend into the wall of the recovered tubing creating a more secure attachment of the tubing to the rough handle and furnishing a comfortable, somewhat textured, splinter free gripping surface for the user.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable closure is disclosed having a central section which has been hot stretched and cooled while in stretched condition sandwiched between a pair of unstretched end sections and in which one end section has a tapered grooved extension.

Abstract: A process for producing a cross-linked laminated film by:(a) forming a laminate by disposing at least one polyolefin resin layer (II) on one side of an oxygen barrier core layer (I); and then disposing an adhesive shrinkable resin layer (III) and sealing resin layer (IV) in this order on the other side of said core layer (I),(b) irradiating an electron beam to laminate from the surface side of the layer (II) so as to cause the layer (II) to have a gel fraction x at the outside portion of 25-70% by weight, a gel fraction y at the inner portion contacting the side of the layer (I) of 40% by weight or less, and a gradient of gel fraction represented by y/x of 0.6 or less, without cross-linking the layer (IV), and(c) stretching the thus cross-linked laminate.

Abstract: A sheet made from a foamed polystyrene resin which is heat-shrinkable in one axial direction and has a heat-insulatingness is prepared. A printing process is applied to this sheet to produce a label. A container made from a thermo-plastic resin is covered with said cylindrical label and is put in a furnace in order to heat-shrink the label to be fitted on the container.The container with the label manufactured in accordance with the present invention has a superior heat-insulatingness, and thus can maintain the temperature of water contained therein for a longer time. Also, when it is used in a electronic-range, a temperature of an outer wall surface of the container can be prevented from increasing, and thus the container can be held by a bare hand even immediately after cooking.

Abstract: The composite product consists of a central body is formed of a substance or a material having poor mechanical properties and is in the form of a beam or wedge having a large thickness with respect to width, said central body being is covered, at least over its length by a film or a sheath made of a heat shrinkable plastic shrunk by any suitable heating means after being placed in position around said central body said sheath surrounding the central body is produced by winding thin strips of at least one shrinkable film strip with the adjacent edges of the overlapping strips. The wrapped film can be heat shrunk and the adjacent edge thermally welded by the same heat treatment. The composite and the product can be utilized to produce casing elements for concrete or wedging blocks.

Abstract: The method of this invention includes the step of providing a mandrel sleeve shaped on the inside to fit over the small diameter end of a contoured container and being of an outer diameter substantially equal to the large diameter portion of the container. After applying a solvent of the plastic sheet material to the trailing edge of a length thereof, the sheet is wrapped around the container and the mantrel sleeve so that the trailing edge overlaps the leading edge and the solvent forms a firm bond between the overlapped edges. The mandrel sleeve is then withdrawn from the wrapped length, leaving it around the container, and the sheet material is heat shrunk to fit tightly over its full height around the contoured container. Before the sheet is wrapped around the mandrel and container, an adhesive, such as a hot melt glue, may be applied too that portion of the sheet that is wrapped in direct contact with the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a single-ply immobilized liquid membrane comprising an aqueous liquid membrane immobilized within a hydrophobic microporous support, and a method of preparing such an immobilized liquid membrane. The present invention also includes a method of preparing an ultrathin single-ply immobilized liquid membrane.

Abstract: A substantially wrinkle-free, high modulus, thermoplastic film having at least one compound curve is disclosed. The substantially wrinkle-free film may form a part of a laminate which itself has utility in automotive glazing applications.An improved lamination process is also disclosed for the production of non-planar laminates from planar sheets of heat-shrinkable films through the use of a negative image mold of the non-planar article to be laminated. Heat-shrinkable films which may be used in the practice of the invention include polyester films, polyolefin films, polyamide films, polyurethane films, polycarbonate films, polyvinylchloride films, and polystyrenic films.The method is applicable to a wide range of non-planar articles and is particularly suitable to articles having at least one compound curve forming at least part of its surface. The improved lamination process of the present invention has specific utility in the manufacture of automotive glazing products such as windshields and rear windows.

Abstract: A fuel tank for a propane fuel tank includes an electrically insulative covering positioned in place over substantially the entire exposed surface of the tank to prevent transmission of electric current through the tank by contact of the tank with a source of current. The insulation on the tank also prevents penetration of the tank by arcing of electric current from a spaced apart current source and the tank. The fuel tank is cylindrical and the covering comprises an eight mil thick seamless tube of polyethylene secured by heat shrinking to the outer surfaces of the cylindrical tank. The method according to the invention comprises providing an electrically insulative material, placing the insulative material over the outer surfaces of the tank and bonding the insulative material to the outer surface of the tank.

Abstract: Novel processes for preparing a heat shrinkable film by first orienting the film and thereafter irradiating a major surface of the oriented film with low energy radiation to effect differential crosslinking throughout the thickness of the film, the opposed surface of the film being characterized as being substantially non-crosslinked; and films and tapes prepared thereby.

Abstract: PTFE vascular tubing is guided on to a tapered ultrasonic horn as the horn is oscillating at a high frequency. This action causes the end of the tubing moved onto the horn to expand. The expanded tubing is then positioned on a mandrel having a desired shape, such as tapered, and resintered. The finished tubing with an expanded diameter on one end and a non-expanded diameter on the other end is then removed from the mandrel, and is ready for use. Untapered tubing can also be radially expanded by this method to provide a thinner wall.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprising a recoverable fabric, optionally with a matrix material, is provided with a closure whereby it can be retained in the wrapped around configuration. The article is suitable for environmentally protecting cables and pipes and joins therein.

Abstract: A coupler for joining polymeric pipes comprises a generally cylindrical radially heat-shrinkable member which is composed of a conductive polymer. To recover the coupler, current is passed axially through the coupler via electrodes. The coupler has a center portion of increased wall thickness and in this way, when there is a gap between the pipes, overheating of the center portion of the coupler is avoided.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable sleeve which has a shrinkable component and comprises a cross-linked polymer in the form of an open grid, said shrinkable component being embedded into a non-shrinkable component. The individual elements forming the open grid create a plurality of grid cells and are undetachably connected to one another at the point of intersection of the elements.

Abstract: An electrical connector utilizing a crimpable ferrule with an electrical insulation sleeve thereover, and a transparent outer sleeve surrounding the ferrule and insulation sleeve, with the transparent outer sleeve formed of coextruded, multi-layer material with at least one layer being oriented and heat-shrinkable, and with the inner layer being a heat-activatable adhesive. A portion of the outer sleeve is preshrunk to aid in the use thereof. The electrical connector in accordance with this invention is produced by placing a crimpable ferrule having an insulation sleeve thereon upon a first support, with the outer sleeve upon a second support, with both vertically oriented and coaxially arranged, and with the support for the outer sleeve at a lower elevation than the outer support. The arrangement is passed through a heating zone to partially shrink a portion of the outer sleeve about the insulating sleeve, and to activate an inner adhesive layer on said outer sleeve into adhesion with the insulating sleeve.