Abstract: A liquefier assembly comprising a liquefier tube, where the liquefier tube comprises a sidewall having an inlet opening configured to receive a filament strand, an outlet opening, and a port disposed through the sidewall at a location between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, the port being configured to provide access for a filament drive mechanism to engage with the received filament strand. The liquefier assembly further comprises a heat transfer component configured to generate a thermal gradient along a longitudinal length of the sidewall between the port and the outlet opening.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus is taught that employs a die adapter that is partially submerged in a heat transfer bath on a horizontal plane such that there is no air gap between the die extrusion aperture and the heat transfer bath. A porous dam is positioned between the die and the heat transfer bath. A heat insulating plate is positioned between the porous dam and the die to prevent the heat transfer medium from flowing onto the die. The heat insulating plate also prevents excessive cooling of the die tip thereby allowing the necessary precise thermal control over the extrudate skin formation to prevent melt fracture and form a low density extrudate with a smooth solid skin and inner foamed core.

Abstract: The pipe molding system includes a separable cooling plug and an automatic procedure to alleviate problems associated with excess plastic continuing to extrude after a sudden shutdown of the extrusion system. The separable cooling plug and shutdown procedure includes accommodating any excess plastic in a created void between the cooling plug and the extruder. This arrangement simplifies removal of the excess plastic and reduces the time required to return the equipment to normal production. Preferably, a controller monitors operating conditions of the system and automatically releases the cooling plug based on the monitored operating conditions.

Abstract: Device for extruding hollow strands from thermoplastic material, with an extruder head, having a mandrel, and a calibrating device, for making a dimensional change while production is in progress, and with a radially adjustable inlet, at least one Ranque vortex chamber being formed in the mandrel, the cooling air outlet of which chamber leads into a cooling tube, which extends as an axial extension of the mandrel through the inlet of the calibrating device and has a cooling air outlet opening out into the calibrating device. This device achieves the object of providing a device with which effective interior cooling is achieved in calibrating devices designed for making a dimensional change while operation is in progress.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface. A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.

Abstract: A melt cooler and valving system for an underwater pelletizer has a diverter valve that facilitates multiple modes of melt processing. The cooler has a cooler inlet line that conveys the melt to the cooler, and a cooler outlet line that conveys the cooled melt from the cooler. The diverter valve is configured to convey the melt to and from the cooler during a cooling mode of operation, to convey the melt around the cooler during a bypass mode of operation, and to drain the melt from the cooler and the diverter valve during a drain mode of operation. The diverter valve is compact and therefore contains a minimum of product inventory. The valve is streamlined and direct in its bypass mode, and includes a drain capability to allow for faster, easier cleaning of the process line, which in turn provides a fast changeover time with less lost product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a molten plastic film tube exiting the outlet of an extrusion die is disclosed. The apparatus includes an inlet passage adapted to direct cooling air through the extrusion die to the interior of the plastic film tube. The apparatus includes at least one air dispensing device coupled to the inlet passage. The air dispensing device is configured to receive the cooling air and to direct a flow of the cooling air out of the air dispensing device in an approximately circumferential or tangential direction. The circumferential or tangential flow of the inlet air inside the plastic film tube cools the molten tube while reducing impact on the molten tube.

Abstract: A process for producing a frozen confectionery product is provided, the process comprising: extruding a frozen confection from a nozzle; and cutting the extruded frozen confection with an iris cutter; characterised in that the iris cutter is cooled to a temperature below 10° C. An apparatus for operating the process is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of peroxide crosslinked polymer parts, mainly tubes, in which the crosslinkable polymer is heated in an extruder in a controlled manner to a value above the crystallite melting point of the polymer, but below the crosslinking temperature, and fed continuously to an extrusion die to create the part and in which at least a partial crosslinking of the polymer is achieved in the extrusion die by heating of the polymer above a crosslinking temperature provision.

Abstract: A method for producing an extruded food product comprising from about 25% to about 77% meat and vegetable protein by continuously introducing components of the food product to an extruder wherein the components include meat and vegetable protein; mixing the components to produce a mixture in the extruder; heating the mixture in the extruder to produce the food product; extruding the food product from the extruder through the extruder die; and cooling the food product. The product may further comprise plasticizers and be substantially free of cross-linking compounds. Generally, the product is a meat analog having a fibrous texturized appearance characteristic of meat.

Abstract: In apparatus and processes for producing pellets of plastic resins and additives, the heat collected in the quench water of the pelletizer device is used to heat the plastic entering the process. This simple unique idea has an energy saving in the process.

Abstract: In at least one method for manufacturing a double-walled, thermoplastic tube with a connecting sleeve, which enables precise and complete moulding of the connecting sleeve by simple means, it is provided that a) a first tube (1) is extruded into a mould tunnel (4) comprising at least one row of moulds (5) guided on a path, b) the first tube (1) is given a corrugated shape in at least one first section and expanded into a connecting sleeve in at least one second section, c) a second tube (6) is extruded into the first tube and pressed against the corrugation troughs (8) of the first tube (1), d) while the first tube (1) is being given a corrugated shape and the second tube (6) extruded into the first, the space (A) between the two tubes (1, 6) is subjected to a pressure p1 that is above atmospheric pressure, e) the space (A) between the two tubes (1, 6) is subjected, at a specified time before or after expansion of the first tube (1) into a connecting sleeve, to an essentially constant pressure p2?p1 above atm

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: Melt fracture is reduced, without the necessity of polymer processing-aid additives specifically designed to alleviate exit region surface melt fracture phenomenon, by heating at least a portion of the die through which the polymer is extruded. The die exit region is maintained at a temperature above the bulk melt temperature of the polymer extruded through the die exit hole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaping device (3) for shaping and cooling articles produced from a plastic melt, whereby said device can be arranged downstream of an extruder. The shaping device (3) comprises, arranged in an entry area (19), an inlet opening (20) for the plastic melt, at least one channel (21) extending in the direction of an outlet area (22) and having channel walls (23, 24) delimiting the same, and at least one cooling device (27) associated with the channel walls (23, 24). An additional cooling device (28) for the plastic melt to be passed through is provided inside the channel (21) in the area directly adjacent to the inlet area (19).

Abstract: The present invention easily increases an extrusion speed of strip-shaped member B from a gear pump extruder 21. Unvulcanized rubber K heated by a heater 17 is extruded temporarily as a strip-shaped body Z under the atmospheric pressure, and thereafter, is extruded from the gear pump extruder 21 as the strip-shaped member B, so that a temperature of the strip-shaped member B at the time of extrusion is lowered compared with that in a conventional technology. Here, even when the temperature of the strip-shaped member B is risen up to that in the conventional technology, any problem is not likely to occur, so that it is allowed to speed up, only by a degree corresponding to the above-mentioned difference between the temperatures, an operation speed of the respective heater 17, a pushing means 35, and the gear pump extruder 21, in other words, to rise the extrusion speed in the extruder 21.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an extruder for producing a thermoplastic material having a first and second portion comprising an axially extending barrel and a screw conveyer axially disposed within said barrel so as to define a passage for conveying thermoplastic material from an input through a melt zone to an output. Furthermore the present invention discloses an insulation member comprising an elongated insulation member formed of a thermoplastic insulating material, said insulating member having a top edge, a bottom edge, and first and second side edges; the top edge comprising a protrusion, said top edge extending beyond a corresponding top edge of a corresponding panel of siding; and the bottom edge comprising a ledge, said ledge operable to overlap the protrusion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for cooling an extruded thermoplastics pipe (1) by directing a gaseous cooling medium tangentially towards the inner surface of the thermoplastics pipe (1) along its whole periphery, whereby the interior of the thermoplastics pipe (1) is divided by means of a protecting pipe (8) into an outer ring-shaped flow channel (9) for the cooling medium along the inner surface of the thermoplastics pipe (1), and a central return channel (10) through which a part of the cooling medium is intended to be sucked back influenced by the flow of cooling medium in the outer ring-shaped flow channel (9), and to be redirected towards the inner surface of the thermoplastics pipe (1).

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanging mechanism includes a cylinder in which drill holes are linearly formed, through-holes which correspond the drill holes, respectively, a flange in which a communication portion for communicating the through-holes with each other is formed, and detachable siphon pipes which are inserted into the drill holes, respectively.

Abstract: A center heated die plate for an underwater pelletizer radiates heat outwardly to the extrusion orifices and die faces of the die plate thereby maintaining the die plate and extrusion orifices at an elevated temperature to obtain optimum flow of molten polymer through the extrusion orifices. In one embodiment, a cylindrical heating coil is placed in a hollow central core of the die plate and a plurality of peripheral heating elements are inserted in radial recesses distributed around an outer perimeter of the die plate to create an inner heat zone and an outer heat zone which are separately controllable.

Abstract: A pipe mold (1) produces plastic pipe with an internal wall having a first wall portion (23, 25) and a second wall portion (27). The pipe mold (1) includes a two stage cooling plug (35) to assist in setting the pipe wall. The first cooling stage (37) is controlled to remove heat from the pipe wall to partially set the plastic without excessive cooling. The partially set plastic pipe then passes over a second stage (39) where less precision in the cooling of the pipe occurs. The partially set plastic is more tolerant and subject to less damage. Preferably both the first and second stages (37, 39) include separate temperature sensors (120, 122) and control arrangements (124, 126) for varying the cooling medium of each stage. In a preferred embodiment a cooling medium is circulated through a first stage at a temperature and at a flow rate to maintain the first stage (37) within a narrow temperature range about the temperature of the cooling medium.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus is used for extruding material through a nozzle (10) for forming a product In the nozzle (10), the material is pressed around rods (9) so that tubular cavities (13) are formed in the wall of the product. The rods (9) are hollow and the apparatus comprises channels (14) connected to the hollow rods (9) to enable flow in the tubular cavities (13).

Abstract: A system for supplying processed material includes a barrel for transporting the processed material, having a chamber and an electrically conductive wall enclosing the chamber. The barrel has a length and an outer surface. Thermal insulation extends along at least a portion of the length and around the outer surface and provides an exterior surface whose contour is uniform and formed without grooves. A coil comprising an electric conductor is encased in an electrical insulating sheath. The coil contacts and encircles the exterior surface in loops forming an induction winding that extends along at least a portion of the length and around the exterior surface in a spiral path. An induction power supply is used for supplying alternating current to the coil at a relatively high frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for molding balloon catheters is disclosed. The balloon may be molded by providing a polymeric tube within a mold having an interior cavity in the shape of the desired balloon. Microwave energy, which may be generated by a gyrotron, may then be directed toward the mold, to heat the polymeric material without heating the mold. Once heated, pressurized fluid may be injected into the tube to blow the polymeric material against the interior cavity whereupon the material can cool to form the balloon or can be further heatset by additional microwave energy and be cooled to form the balloon. In accordance with one embodiment, microwave energy can also be used without a mold to form a medical device. A polymer extrusion apparatus is disclosed utilizing a microwave energy for heating polymer feedstock material within the extruder tip and die unit just prior to formation of the extrudate product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for providing a melt, in particular a plastic melt. Said device (1) comprises a feed unit (2) for material components, at least one purification unit (4) for the flowing melt, in particular a rotatable screening disc (5), and at least one sensor unit (17; 18; 19; 20; 21) for detecting one or more process parameters. The operation of the purification unit (4) can be influenced with the aid of said sensor unit, based on the filter-specific process data. The inventive device is configured in such a way that at least the type and dosage of the process materials that are supplied via the feed unit (2) and/or the processing parameters of said process materials can be controlled using the detected (17; 18; 19; 20; 21) process parameters and/or the filter-specific process data.

Abstract: A center heated die plate for an underwater pelletizer radiates heat outwardly to the extrusion orifices and die faces of the die plate thereby maintaining the die plate and extrusion orifices at an elevated temperature to obtain optimum flow of molten polymer through the extrusion orifices. In one embodiment, a centrally located heating plate is mounted in a recess on the upstream face of the die plate inwardly of the nose cone. In a second embodiment, a cylindrical heating coil is placed in a hollow central core of the die plate between the nose cone on the upstream side and an insulation plug or plate on the downstream side. Heating leads extend through a single radial hole in the die plate to provide power to the center heating element.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method with inductive heating of an electrically conductive workpiece such as a barrel used in molding or extrusion, having a layer of thermal insulation interposed between the induction windings and the workpiece, and using alternating current (AC) at an elevated frequency. Further, variable pitch induction windings may be used to generate a non-uniform and calculated heat input profile, such as to compliment the configuration of a screw for transporting material through the barrel.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous extrusion of an aluminium sheathing free from imperfections or discontinuities onto a core cable, such as an insulated copper cable, includes a rotatable wheel formed with a pair of circumferential grooves arcuate tooling bounding radially outer portions of the respective grooves, a die body provided with divergent exit apertures discharging laterally to an extrusion chamber through 90° elbows and short divergent passages at diametrically opposed locations. An electrical induction heater includes coils of copper tubing connected to an electrical power source and to a coolant circulating device is positioned at a radially outer portion of the die body and is energizable to supply heat to the die body to maintain a uniform temperature of approximately 480° C., controlled by signals from thermocouples around the extrusion chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions. The apparatus and method including removing thermal energy from an article by conductive and convective heat transfer. The apparatus and method allows for heat transfer from an outer surface of an article, and from an inner surface of the article.

Abstract: The invention refers to a micro-extrusion line that comprises a single screw (2) micro-extruder (1), a die (7), a cooling bath (17) and a haul-off (19), which together enables the manufacture of extruded profiles from small amounts of raw material. The rotation of the micro-extruder screw, together with the high temperatures created by the heater bands, produces the conveying, melting, mixing and pumping of the material through the die. The extrudate is cooled down in a bath containing a cooling liquid and winded in a coil (19), which has a linear speed higher than that of the extrusion, thus enabling the control of the extrudate cross-section.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus and method for producing a resin film product from a thermoplastic resin in a stable manner without damage to the product, wherein the resin film product is thin and has a uniform, flat surface. A mandrel 7 that comes into proximity or contact with the surface of a moving resin film to guide the movement of the resin film when a resin film in continuous form is continuously produced, the mandrel comprising: a mandrel main body 71 having an opening; and a guide part 72 that is composed of an elastic member attached to the opening 71a and that can advance and retract relative to the resin film, and an apparatus and method for producing a resin film using the mandrel.

Abstract: Device for the hot granulation of thermoplastic polymers, optionally expandable, which comprises: a) a die (1) containing a series of small plates (6), equipped with a series of extrusion holes, and a plurality of feeding ducts (3) situated inside the die body (2) in correspondence with the perforated small plates (6), lined with a material having a high thermal conductivity (4); b) a cutting chamber comprising a set of spraying nozzles (17) which create a jet of drops of a thermostat-regulating liquid for cooling the cut granules; c) a cutting system comprising a cutting plate (13) supporting a set of knives (15) arranged so that the cutting profile of the knife is radial with respect to the die.

Abstract: The invention discloses an improved die assembly for the extrusion of thermoplastic resin cellulosic fiber composite profiles meant to minimize and substantially prevent the occurrence of melt fracture on the surface of the extruded composite profiles. Comprising the die assembly are a balanced flow passage having a heated compression zone, a heated transition zone, a heated converging die zone, a die land, which corresponds to at least a portion of the downstream end of the flow passage and is cooled to temperature below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic resin. The invention also discloses a production process for composite profiles which includes the steps of providing resin and fiber, producing a composite compound, processing the compound through an extrusion system, extruding the compound through the die assembly to form the desired profile, cooling the profile and cutting it to length. Also disclosed are products produced by the production process.

Abstract: A cooling die, for use in the manufacture of extruded food products, the cooling die including: a plurality of core members forming a main body portion of the cooling die between die inlet and outlet ends and arranged about an axis of the die in neighboring relationship; a plurality of extrudate flow channels extending through the cooling die from the inlet end to the outlet end, defined by gaps between neighboring ones of said core members; at least one bore in each said core member through which coolant may flow; an enclosing structure adapted to secure the core members against radial movement relative to the die axis; means for connecting the cooling die to an outlet of a food extruder, a cooling fluid source and a cooling fluid receptacle; and extrudate flow distribution means, located adjacent the inlet end, adapted to direct extrudate from the outlet of the food extruder into selected ones of said extrudate flow channels.

Abstract: Tubular film die head for extruding single-layer or multi-layer film which has at least the following features: a substantially annular die gap, fastening elements which fix at least two components with respect to one another which together border areas bearing plastic melt within the tubular film die head, coolant-carrying elements. At least one part of the fastening elements is structured as coolant-carrying elements.

Abstract: A low-pressure CO2 tank or an air compressor with a refrigerated air dryer is attached either at or after the vent zone of a standard twin-screw extruder. During or after extrusion, the gas is dissolved in the wood-plastic melt. The CO2 expands which foams the wood-plastic material.

Abstract: A system for producing cables includes an extrusion apparatus with at least one extruder and a head for receiving at least one line of the cable. An induction heating apparatus is disposed downstream of the extrusion apparatus. Downstream of the head and the induction heating apparatus is a suspended vulcanization tube that extends horizontally and forms a catenary curve. The vocalization tube includes a movable and an immobile telescoping tube wherein the mobile tube is adjacent to the head and enables access to the head. The induction heating apparatus downstream of the head is installed in the movable tube or is securely attached to the movable tube, and together with the movable tube is movable. The movable tube and the interiorly installed or exteriorly attached induction heating apparatus is insertable into the immobile tube or is slidable over the immobile tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing plastic profiles comprised of at least one hard profile strand (2), for example, consisting of hard PVC, and of at least one soft profile strand (1), for example, consisting of soft PVC, whereby both profile strands (1, 2) are simultaneously produced by separate extrusion nozzles (20, 17a) and are cooled in a cooling device (16, 18). A secure joining can be effected using simple means by leading the soft profile strand (1) directly out or the extruder (17) and into a cooling bath (16, 18), inside of which it is completely cooled, and the hard profile strand (2) and the soft profile strand (1) are subsequently joined under pressure.

Abstract: An internal mandrel for cooling a tubular thin film is disclosed where an air layer is eliminated in the lower side cooler of the internal mandrel, so that the tubular thin film can be continuously and stably produced. In the internal mandrel for directly cooling the tubular thin film while using external circularly shaped cooling tank where the tubular thin film is downwardly extruded through a circular slit of the die, the internal mandrel is characterized in that coolant for cooling a lower most part of the internal mandrel is flown in the countercurrent direction in the internal mandrel to the tubular thin film.

Abstract: A pressurized, plate-heated die system has a distribution plate. A material feed tube is coupled to a material feed aperture in the die. The die has a U-shaped shim, a first insulator dielectric plate with a temperature sensor there in and a heating element. The die has a second insulator dielectric plate and an end plate. A plurality of bolts couple the components of the die. A method of constructing the die renders the components easily disassembled, cleaned and assembled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pellet-type non-crosslinked polypropylene foam having a melting point of 125 to 140° C., and a process and device for producing said foam. Since the pellet-type foams of non-crosslinked polypropylene of the present invention has a lower melting point and a closed cell content of 80% or more, it is advantageous to mold such foams. The present invention also relates to an article molded from the above pellet-type non-crosslinked polypropylene foams.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing shaped polymeric articles by substantially continuous vacuum forming. The method includes providing a sheet of hot polymeric material which is disposed onto a rotating belt having a mold impression. Vacuum pressure is applied to the polymeric material through the belt so as to draw the hot polymeric material into intimate contact with the mold impression to form a patterned sheet portion and a remaining sheet portion. This method thereafter cools at least the patterned sheet portion below a heat deflection temperature of the polymeric material, forms the remaining sheet portion, and then cools the remaining sheet portion below the heat deflection temperature so that features other than the central pattern, such as nail and butt edges, can be mechanically worked into the polymeric sheet.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus capable of extrusion molding a comparatively wide, thin ceramic sheet using a screw extruder while suppressing the wrinkling thereof. The molding apparatus includes a screw-type extruder and a mold at the forward end of the extruder is used to extrusion mold a ceramic sheet from the ceramic material introduced into the extruder by way of the mold. The extrusion molding is carried out while regulating the temperature of the portion of the ceramic material passing through the mold corresponding to each of a plurality of areas (control zones) into which the mold is divided.

Abstract: Extrusion dies for forming dual wall corrugated plastic pipe and dual wall plastic pipe having a foam annular core that provides homogenous melt flow to each axially displaced orifice by means of an individual concentric spiral mandrel are disclosed. Spiral mandrels transport the melt from the extruders initially in spiral paths and then to spiral paths having diminishing depths so that the melt from adjacent spiral paths mix axially resulting in an annular path of homogenous melt. Extrusion dies for real time, continuous and remote control of the openings of the axially displaced orifices by moving the die lip closest and furthest from the extruder in a precise manner are also disclosed. A means for controlling separation of the die lips for both the inner and outer wall walls of the pipe gives the pipe manufacturer the benefit of better controlling quality in real time and changing grades on the fly by controlling wall thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus for smoothing and cooling of slit nozzle synthetic web passes the web following the smoothing gap between two rollers along a cooled surface and into contact with cold air introduced by cold air chamber open toward the roller surface.

Abstract: An extrusion control system that controls the cross section and viscosity during extrusion of even hard to control plastics like polyurethane. Cross section, A, is determined by measuring volumetric rate of deliver of melt through a gear pump V/t and the speed of the extrudate at a puller N/t. The cross-section area, A=(V/t)/(N/t), is controlled by controlling the puller speed. Pressure drop across the die, P, and the volume of melt delivered by the gear pump are measured and a term indicative of the viscosity of the melt is determined based on Vs=(KP)/V, Vs being the viscosity and K being a constant dependent on the size and shape of the die orifice. Viscosity variations are compensated by varying heat applied to the melt.

Abstract: An extruder for welding plastic components, comprising a front part for plasticizing and ejecting additional plastic welding material, and a rear part, for feeding and breaking up a continuous filament made of the additional plastic material. The rear part comprises a feed channel that cooperates with a worm screw for the advancement of the filament. The feed channel is delimited by the thread of the worm screw on one side and by a sliding surface for the filament on the opposite side. The distance between the sliding surface and the crest of the thread decreases in the direction in which the filament is fed, in order to provide scoring of increasing depth on the filament. The thread comprises at least one discontinuity of the worm that has a sharp discontinuity end for cropping the filament at the scoring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for granulating thermoplastic materials issuing from orifices, said orifices being provided in a substantially circular arrangement in an orifice plate and being swept by blades rotating about a blade carrier shaft, said blades being held by a blade carrier in an oblique position with respect to the radial direction, the blade carrier shaft extending through the centre of the circular arrangement and a cooling medium being supplied to the orifice plate and to the blades for cooling the granulated plastic materials.

Abstract: A monomer is selected to produce a polymeric film having desirable characteristics for a particular application. The monomer is ppolymerized under controlled conditions to produce a solid oligomer having those characteristics at a molecular weight suitable for evaporation under vacuum at a temperature lower than its thermal decomposition temperature. The process of polymerization to produce the oligomer is carried out under conditions that yield a finite molecular-chain length with no residual reactive groups. The solid oligomer so produced is extruded as a film onto a revolving drum (38) in the evaporation section (40) of a vapor deposition chamber, and then cryocondensed on a cold substrate (44) to form a solid film having the same characteristic selected in the solid oligomer constituting the starting material. As a result of the initial complete reaction to produce the oligomer, the thin-film product does not contain unreacted groups and all attendant disadvantages are avoided.

Abstract: A segmented die assembly comprises a plurality of side-by-side and separate units. Each die unit, includes a manifold segment and a die module mounted thereon. The manifold segments are interconnected and function to deliver process air and polymer melt to the modules. Each module including a nozzle through which the polymer melt is extruded forming a row of filament(s). The filaments from the array of modules are deposited on a substrate or collector. The die assembly is preferably used to apply a hot melt adhesive to a substrate, but also may be used to produce meltblown webs.