Abstract: A thermoplastic tape having thick and wide end portions with a relatively thin and narrow stretched central portion between them is produced by a first pair of nip rolls running at a slow speed, and a second pair of nip rolls running at a higher speed. The tape between the nip rolls is intermittently moved away from, and toward said first nip rolls to stretch it to produce the relatively thin and narrow central portion. The second pair of nip rolls is mounted on a pivoted arm so that they are movable toward, and away from said first nip rolls. Alternatively, an idler roll between the two pairs is moved toward, and away from, the first nip rolls.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making a pile-surfaced thermoplastic material by a tack-spin technique the laminate of backing web and adhered pile is hauled off from the heated drawing surface over a rod or bar which fixes the point at which the laminate separates from the heated drawing surface and which directs cooling fluid from an aperture in the rod or bar and onto the back of the backing web and into the fibril-forming area.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing sheet-like material having a thermoplastic pile surface includes a cylindrical roll having a heated surface, a feed arrangement for feeding a foundation layer and a thermoplastic material to the heated surface of the roll with the thermoplastic material located between and in contact with the surface and the foundation layer and a withdrawing arrangement for withdrawing the foundation layer and thermoplastic material from the heated surface in a manner such that the thermoplastic material is drawn into filaments which are attached to the foundation layer. In one embodiment the laminate is withdrawn from the roll over a tube or bar and a jet is provided for directing a jet of cooling fluid from the back of the foundation layer into the area where the filaments are formed. In another embodiment the laminate is withdrawn from the roll over a rod or bar which is inter-related with a front jet so that cooling fluid is deflected into the space between the bar and the roll.

Abstract: A process for making a pile-surfaced product comprises feeding a thermoplastic film and a backing between rollers, the roller which engages the thermoplastic being heated so as to cause the thermoplastic to adhere thereto, and subsequently separating the backing and the thermoplastic from the heated roller so that the thermoplastic is drawn into filaments. The nature of the pile is controlled by hauling off the backing and the thermoplastic over a rod or bar which fixes the point at which the thermoplastic separates from the heated roll, controls the path of the product as it moves away from the heated roll and guides a cooling fluid onto the back of the backing.