Abstract: Provided is a device for manufacturing an optical film having satisfactorily reduced thickness unevenness, by using a melt-casting film forming method, which device includes a casting die for discharging a molten film-forming material including a thermoplastic resin into a film-like shape; a pair of a first rotation roll and a second rotation roll between which the discharged film-shaped molten article is pinched to be cooled and solidified to make the film-shaped molten article; and two pairs of wind shield plates each of which pairs are arranged between the shaft-direction ends of the first and second rotation rolls and an end part in the width-direction of the film-shaped molten article, wherein the wind shield plates are placed approximately perpendicular to the surface of the film-shaped molten article, and wherein each pair of the wind shield plates are placed approximately in parallel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generation of fine fibers via electro-spinning from a polymer solution is provided. The spray or spinning electrode is dipped in a polymer solution to maintain a polymer solution coating on the electrode for electrostatic spinning of fine fibers. A cover provides an evaporation barrier that reduces solvent loss. The drive unit may move the electrode around the cover to facilitate dipping of part of the electrode while exposing another part of the electrode for electro-spinning of fine fibers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing microporous films. The method utilizes a casting surface and a condensing surface. The condensing surface is spaced from the casting surface to form a gap. The distance between the surfaces forming the gap is relatively small and is preferably less than 3 cm. A material, capable of forming microporous films through thermally induced phase separation processes, is cast onto the casting surface, preferably through conventional extrusion practices. The material contains at least one evaporative component that generally flashes off upon formation of the microporous material and condenses on the condensing surface.

Abstract: A system and methods for collecting and managing air discharged from a melt spinning apparatus. The air management system includes an outer housing defining a first interior space, an intake opening for receiving the discharged air into the first interior space, and an exhaust opening for discharging the air. Positioned within the first interior space is an inner housing defining a second interior space coupled in fluid communication with the exhaust opening and an opening fluidically coupling the first and second interior spaces. The air management system includes a flow control device inside the first interior space that controls the flow of air from the first interior space to the second interior space and an air-directing member outside of the first interior space near the intake opening that extends in a cross-machine direction for dividing the intake opening into two portions in a machine direction.

Abstract: A roller assembly positioned downstream of a printing station in a web-fed rotary printing press for pneumatically guiding a web of paper after it has been printed upon, without the risk of smearing the printings. The assembly includes a roller in the form of a hollow cylinder defining a plenum chamber therein and having formed in its surface a multiplicity of air outlet openings in communication with the plenum chamber. Air supplied under pressure to the chamber is therefore expelled from the air outlet openings in order to avoid contact with the roller the web traveling over the rollera baffle encloses at least part of the circumferential part of the roller surface for confining the air being expelled from said at least part of the other circumferential part of the roller surface and for redirecting the confined air into a pair of spaces, spaced, between the web and the roller.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reclaiming expanded synthetic resin wastes in a form suitable for subsequent injection molding. The apparatus includes a tank containing a solvent having a pump for pumping dissolved resin wastes to an evaporator. The evaporator comprises an endless belt on which dissolved resin waste is deposited and precipitates in the form of a thin film. A heater is disposed below the belt to expedite separation of solute and solvent by evaporation. A blower disposed within a housing enclosing the endless belt establishes air circulation over the belt, further promoting evaporation. The thin film is wound on a roller and subjected to a heated roller to fuse the many thin film strata into a solid, generally cylindrical mass. The solid mass is then comminuted by a granulator. Evaporated solvent is recovered in a condenser and is reused.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously forming thin-gauge flexible foam sheeting by controlling the rise of an expanding foam-forming mixture until the reaction is substantially complete.

Abstract: A melt is converted into pieces by being converted to individual quantities that are dropped onto a cooling surface. Disposed above the cooling surface is a hood having a suction outlet for conducting waste air to a cleaner. Disposed in the hood upstream of the suction outlet is an arrangement of surfaces defining a serpentine flow path for the waste air so that a vaporous component of the waste air crystallizes on the surfaces. The surfaces are formed by plates mounted on a common transport carrier which periodically moves the plates against a scraper for scraping off the crystallized material. Alternately, the surfaces can be defined by endless belts which move against scrapers.

Abstract: Solvent based film is produced in an endless belt casting apparatus (10) in which, within initial compartments (46-52), flows of gas are directed through transversely elongated inlet channels (85.sub.i) to contact a layer (36') of polymer and solvent supported by an endless belt (26) and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn from the vicinity of the layer by transversely elongated gas plenums (68); within subsequent compartments (54-62), flows of gas are directed through elongated inlet plenums (74) to contact the layer and flows of gas and solvent vapors are withdrawn through transversely elongated exhaust channels (85.sub.o); within all compartments along upper and lower spans of the belt, flows of gas are directed at the inner side (30) of the belt from transversely elongated gas plenums (70) and flows of gas are withdrawn though outlets (72); and within initial compartments (46-52), flows of cooling gas are directed at the edges of the inner side of the belt from cooling nozzles (146, 148).

Abstract: A packing sheet is formed on a calender having a rotatable large diameter heated cylinder and a rotatable smaller diameter unheated cylinder, with a gap between the cylinders, by feeding a preformed mixture of rubber material, fiber and solvent into the gap between the cylinders while the cylinders are rotating in opposite directions to form on the circumference of the large diameter cylinder a layer of progressively increasing thickness of the mixture during successive rotation of the cylinders. While the cylinders are thus rotating, heat from an external heat source is applied to the outer surface of the layer of material on the large diameter heated cylinder so that the material is heated both by heat from the large diameter heated cylinder and heat from the external heat source and is thereby vulcanized to form a cylindrical packing sheet. The cylinders are then stopped, the packing sheet is cut lengthwise of the cylinder and is stripped from the cylinder.

Abstract: In a device for producing granules or tablets from fluid materials, the material is fed to the press-slot between a rotative hollow cylinder with an inner toothing and a press-cylinder with an outer toothing that engages the inner toothing. Bores extend from the bottom of the teeth of the inner toothing of the hollow cylinder up to its outer side. The material is pressed through these bores when the hollow cylinder engages the press-cylinder and is laid as tablets or granules on a cooling surface. At least one part of the outer circumference of the hollow cylinder remote from the cooling surface is surrounded by a heating shell. Outside the heating shell and spaced apart from it is arranged another shell in such a way that, between the heating shell and the other shell, a waste gas shaft is formed in communication with a suction nozzle for withdrawing the gases that emanate from the deposited material as it cools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming sheets of a first material, such as a metal, plastic, rubber, or the like, having a primary tank for heating a second molten material and containing the second molten material to form a surface upon which the first material is floated in a molten state. The temperature of the second molten material is maintained below the melting temperature of the first molten material, and the second molten material has a higher specific gravity than the first molten material. Thus, the first molten material floats upon the surface of the second molten material while it solidifies into a sheet of material, which is then withdrawn from the surface of the second molten material. A hood is disposed over the primary tank to remove fumes and vapors which, when removed, are discharged into water where they condense.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of polymerizable materials that shrink during polymerization includes rapidly heating a moving matrix substantially uniformly throughout its cross section by radio frequency energy to initiate polymerization and maintaining the matrix thereafter in substantial thermal isolation such that substantially adiabatic polymerization occurs.

Abstract: A method of improving solvent vapor containment in a process for extruding a solvent-polymer mixture into a process vessel operated substantially at atmospheric pressure while continuously removing solvent vapor and polymer product from said process vessel is disclosed. The improvement involves connecting, by means of a passage, the process vessel with a containment tank, which containment tank is provided at the bottom thereof with means for solvent vapor removal and recovery. The top of the containment tank is provided with an atmospheric vent to ensure that the solvent vapor in the containment tank is at atmospheric pressure. The passage is further provided with a vapor siphon breaker to prevent siphoning of the solvent vapor from the containment tank back into the process vessel.

Abstract: For continuous production of a resin film having a plain surface, a resin solution cast in film form over an endless belt is pre-hardened by a gas stream supplied for flow in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the endless belt, and then a jet of gas is blown in the direction of movement of the endless belt whereby the resin is hardened. In the process for resin film production wherein the resin film is cast over the endless belt and then pre-hardened by a parallel gas stream, the cast film being then hardened by a jet of gas, the installation for production is divided by partitions so as to enable various stages to be operated independently.

Abstract: When a laminate product is manufactured by extruding a thermoplastic resin on a substrate for coating, a space enclosed between a member for cooling the thermoplastic resin and a non-cooled thermoplastic resin film is kept within an atmosphere having a high permeability with respect to the thermoplastic resin film. Occurrence of craters in the laminated resin film is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the production of building units from an afterhardening mixture containing cement and/or lime as binding material. The raw mixture is continuously fed and pressed by stamping into a die with CO.sub.2 gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric being passed through the raw mixture in the die space. Through an instantaneous reaction of carbonation, the material is hardened to a formed body. The CO.sub.2 gas is prevented from escaping by a gastight seal in the vicinity of the inlet port of the die. Further towards the outlet port, the pressure of the CO.sub.2 gas is decreased. In the vicinity of the outlet port only as much CO.sub.2 gas is fed as is necessary for the completing of the chemical reaction. Thus, any loss of gas will be minimized. The continuously discharged body is cut to size by using a saw.

Abstract: A system is provided for molding a slurry containing particles in a solution of solvent and binder, which enables the close control of the production of a tape with particles of a high density. A rotor forms a chamber with a cylindrical molding surface, and a conduit carries the slurry from the outside to the surface while the molding surface rotates to use centrifugal force to force particles against the molding surface. The chamber is substantially closed to avoid the uncontrolled loss of solvent, and a means is provided for venting the chamber to remove solvent therefrom after the slurry has been molded into a tape. A container lies within the chamber and holds solvent prior to casting the slurry, to create a solvent-containing environment within the chamber.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the adhesion of the surface of a polyolefin shaped product which comprises applying corona discharge the said surface under the continuous movement between an electrode for discharge and another electrode opposite thereto while jetting a gaseous material other than the air itself onto the part of the said surface to which corona discharge is applied so as to achieve the following relationships among the carbon atoms, the nitrogen atoms and the oxygen atoms present within 100 .ANG. from the said surface:(a) -3.5.ltoreq.([O]/[C]-[O']/[C'])/([N]/[C]-[N']/[C']).ltoreq.1.8(b) 3.0.ltoreq.[N']/[C']wherein [C], [N] and [O] are respectively the numbers of the carbon atoms, the nitrogen atoms and the oxygen atoms within 100 .ANG. from the said surface before the application and [C'], [N'] and [O'] are respectively the numbers of the carbon atoms, the nitrogen atoms and the oxygen atoms within 100 .ANG.

Abstract: The apparatus for the electrical pretreatment of foils to increase the surface tension (surface energy) comprising a roller electrode forming a counter-electrode and over which is passed the foil to be treated, and at least three knife electrodes, which are arranged parallel to one another and at right angles to the direction of movement of the foil. The discharge edges of the knife electrodes have a constant spacing from the roller electrode surface, which leads to a much better treatment result.

Abstract: A continuous molding apparatus and method is disclosed as providing a sliding seal chamber in which moving molding surfaces form and can provide means for the induction of such temperature changes required to produce finished products from the chosen raw material.

Abstract: In order to manufacture molded bodies by pressing finely divided material with a binder while the binder sets, such as to avoid problems caused because of contact of the binder or vapors therefrom with oxygen, the pressing and setting is carried out in a gas atmosphere different from air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly manufacturing concrete or like products having an advanced state of cure by blending together a calcareous cementitious binder, aggregate, and water to form a mix, molding the mixture to have a predetermined shape and exposing the shape to an atmosphere in a chamber consisting essentially of carbon dioxide gas, wherein carbon dioxide gas is fed under controlled conditions into said chamber through a series of tubes having a multiplicity of spaced orifices during the movement of the shape therein and continuing the feed so as to cause an exothermic temperature rise in the shape.

Abstract: A dragee-making drum cooperating with a partition wall in order to promote cleanliness, particularly during the manufacture of medical preparations, by increasing the isolation between the clean "grey" zone in front of the partition wall and the dirtier "black" zone behind it. This increased isolation is accomplished by providing a flanged rim at the mouth of the drum to fit within a corresponding U-shaped seal disposed at the opening of the partition wall. An opening is provided at the bottom of the seal for removal of debris.

Abstract: A machine for the continuous manufacture of a multilayer toxicogenic web material, such as asbestos. The machine includes a series of controlled feed units sequentially arranged above a continuous conveyor belt to serially deposit incremental layers of asbestos and oil products on the conveyor belt to form a thick, continuous sheet which is removed after proper curing, from the downstream end of the conveyor belt by a doctor blade. The machine is housed in an environmentally safe containment enclosure to prevent escape of potentially harmful material therefrom.

Abstract: The aerodynamic shield members of the apparatus for electrostatically charging fibrous material disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,369 are coated with a material having a resistance of between 5.times. 10.sup.12 and 10.sup.14 ohms/sq to reduce arcing at higher charge levels.

Abstract: The vapor and particulate matter emitting equipment is enclosed within walls of an electrostatically charged clear plastic sheet material. The enclosures are connected at their tops to hoods which are connected to ducting leading to an exhaust fan. The vapors are contained within the enclosures until they can be evacuated by the fan. The particulate matter is attracted to the electrostatically charged sheet material.