Abstract: A method of molding a component such as a headliner or sun visor for the interior of automotive vehicles is molded from different thermoplastic materials from the same family that can be subsequently recycled as a whole without the need of separation into its constituents. The interior component is a multi layer composite of polyester (PET) finishing fabric, a resilient layer of bicomponent polyester fiber padding composed of blend of a low melting point fibers and high melting point fibers, and a relatively stiff core layer of polyester/glass fiber composite of polyester and glass fibers. The different fibers of the core layer are blended into a thin and porous sheet which is cut to size. The cut sheets are consolidated and molded under heat and pressure into a light weight, dense and structurally strong composite. A mold charge comprises the polyester/glass fiber composite layered with the bicomponent.

Abstract: A method of improving the effectiveness of a photostabilizer in reducing the deleterious effects of actinic radiation on a polypropylene composition, which method involves compounding a melt-extrudable thermoplastic polypropylene composition having a melt flow rate in a range of from about 18 to about 100 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg. The polypropylene composition includes a first thermoplastic polypropylene having a melt flow rate lower than 18 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg, a polydispersity greater than about 2.6, and a Z-average molecular weight greater than about 300,000; a second thermoplastic polypropylene having a melt flow rate higher than 18 g/10 minutes at a temperature of 230.degree. C. and a load of 2.16 kg, a polydispersity equal to or less than 2.6, and a Z-average molecular weight equal to or less than 300,000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography; and a photostabilizer.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of generally vertically-aligned compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. First and second molten thermoplastic materials are supplied to the spinner and directed into alternate ones of the compartments so that adjacent compartments contain different thermoplastic materials. Passages are located in each of the compartments through which the respective molten thermoplastic materials flow to the orifices on the peripheral wall of the spinner. The passages in adjacent ones of the compartments communicate with one another and with the orifices to join the first and second molten thermoplastic materials together into dual component fibers.

Abstract: A spinneret device for side-by-side, conjugate melt-blow spinning can correspond to combinations of various heterogeneous polymers for conjugate spinning and is uniform in the conjugate state such as conjugate ratio between single fibers, the proportion of the peripheral percentage of both the components in the fiber cross-section, etc. and has fineness, a large nozzle plate width and a superior productivity. The device is composed mainly of a spinning resin-feeding plate; a distributing plate; a separating plate provided with confluent grooves of conjugate components engraved at the bottom part of the plate, corresponding in number to the spinning nozzles; a nozzle plate; and a plate for controlling the clearance for a gas. Even when the viscosity unevenness, spinning temperature unevenness, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making dual component fibers. The apparatus comprises a distributor, equipment for providing first and second thermoplastic materials to the distributor, a rotatable spinner and a rotation mechanism. The distributor has an outer casing and a divider cup fixedly positioned within the outer casing. The outer casing has first and second orifices extending through its peripheral wall. The divider cup defines with the outer casing first and second chambers for receiving first and second molten thermoplastic materials. The first orifices communicate with the first chamber and the second orifices communicate with the second chamber. The rotatable spinner includes first and second passages in its peripheral wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual component fibers is provided and includes a spinner having a peripheral wall. The spinner includes orifices located on the peripheral wall thereof for centrifuging the dual component fibers, with the spinner being divided into a series of compartments by baffles positioned circumferentially around the interior of the peripheral wall. The baffles are positioned at an angle of from about 5.degree. to about 75.degree. from vertical, and most preferably about 45.degree. from vertical. The number of orifices on the spinner peripheral wall can thus be increased to increase the throughput of fibers from the spinner while still maintaining a minimum required spacing between orifices for the structural integrity of the spinner.

Abstract: Apparatus for making dual-component thermoplastic fibers, such as glass fibers, comprises a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall for centrifuging fibers from thermoplastic material, the spinner having vertically aligned compartments with first and second thermoplastic materials in alternate compartments, and a series of elongated orifices in the peripheral wall in communication with each of two adjacent compartments to enable centrifuging of both the first and second thermoplastic materials from a single orifice.

Abstract: Thermoprocessible aramid matrix polymer based composites have high flex and short beam shear strengths and low moisture uptake.

Abstract: Two-component fibers, having surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2 /g, suited for replacing cellulose fibers in the manufacture of paper and paper-like products comprise a core of olefinic polymer and from 2 to 50% by weight of a sheath of a hydrophilic polymer, and exhibit values of the tenacity higher than 3,000 meters and cohesion higher than 300 meters. They are prepared by extruding a stable emulsion formed by a mixture of a solution of the olefinic polymer with a solution of the hydrophilic polymer in reciprocally immiscible solvents, at a temperature exceeding the boiling temperature of the solvent of the olefinic polymer and at least equal to the dissolution temperature of such polymer in such solvent, in a medium at a lower pressure, by using a volume ratio of solvent for the olefinic polymer to solvent for the hydrophilic polymer of at least 2.5 and concentrations of hydrophilic polymer in its solution of at least 2 g/l of solvent.

Abstract: The base (11) of a template forming device (10) has a planar, upper surface (12) onto which a plurality of orthogonal grooves (14 and 15) are recessed. A foam mixture is introduced into a container means (20) received on the base (11), and a plurality of restraining means in the form of slats (18) are insertably received within selected grooves (14 and 15) to confine the foaming action within the container means (20) and to direct it against a selected portion of the anatomy so that when the foam is fully risen and cured a template (40) is provided which can be repeatedly used accurately to reposition and support that portion of the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A process of melt spinning a fibre-forming thermoplastic polymer, more particularly polyethylene terephthalate, polyhexamethylene adipamide or polypropylene, at a minimum wind up speed of 2 kilometers per minute in which there is added to the fibre-forming polymer, between 0.1% and 10% by weight of another polymer which is immiscible in a melt of the fibre-forming polymer, such other polymer having a particle size of between 0.5 and 3 microns in the melt with the fibre-forming polymer immediately prior to spinning and novel melt spun fibres produced by such a process and in which the other polymer is in the form of microfibrils.

Abstract: A blend of different polypropylene resins which is particularly useful in melt-spinning fine denier yarns. The blend can be melt-extruded into pellets having better spinning properties for melt-spinning fine denier yarns than the individual resins.

Abstract: A polyester filament in which a polyether-polyester block copolymer is dispersed as fine striae along the filament axis, at least one of which is substantially endless. Process for preparing the same includes a melt spinning apparatus with static mixing elements interposed between separate molten polymer feed passageways and spinneret holes.