Abstract: An improved high speed cast process and apparatus for fusing fasteners, with enlarged bases, to separately extruded film or sheet stock, for forming into containers with integral closure means. The invention utilizes joining of the fasteners, bases and film or sheet stock within the extrusion die to insure secure joining thereof with relative ease.

Abstract: A substantially rustle-free thermoplastic film and container made therefrom. The film may be a multilayer structure, a skin of which is formed of a chlorinated polyethylene resin blend. The composition of said structure is such that quietness is imparted without detracting from the extrudability and other physical characteristics necessary for practical applications. A vapor barrier may be included as a core layer. A particular application for the present invention is an ostomy bag.

Abstract: A vinylidene chloride copolymer composition manufactured by the addition of a grease copolymer, such as low molecular weight ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymer, in place of or in combination with conventional plasticizer blend additions.

Abstract: Layers of heat sealable material are pressed between opposed jaws, cut through, and simultaneously the edges along each side of the cut line are sealed using an improved impulse sealer and method wherein a narrow, internal cooling vein(s) or channel(s), defined near the working interface of the jaws, is cooled by a pressurized stream of refrigerated gas to provide forced cooling to the sealed edges during the cooling portion of the sealing cycle.

Abstract: An improved high speed cast process for fusing fasteners, with strips of film at their base, to separately extruded film or sheet stock for making containers with integral closure means. The process makes available multiple sets of male and female fastener elements, with variable spacing, in a single extrusion operation. The apparatus is configured so that adhesion between the fastener elements and the film or sheet occurs very closely to the die lips before significant cooling of the extrudate occurs. Containers with improved profiles are obtained because the base permits the profiles to remain relatively rigid during closing and opening.

Abstract: A disposable or reusable and reclosable thermoplastic bag capable of being compactly stored as a food container in freezers, yet capable of standing with an upright spout in a microwave oven for non-spill thawing and cooking of food contained in the bag. The bag is formed of two wing-shaped pouches on either side of the upright spout. The preferred closure is a zipper type which can automatically vent upon softening of its thermoplastic structure during the cooking stage. The bag preferably has inner and outer skin layers of different heat-softening temperature responses so that peripheral sealing is effected only with the inner layers, allowing the wing-shaped pouches to be formed out of a gussetted bottom without sealing of the outer layer plies facing one another.

Abstract: A scrap-free, substantially solid phase, relatively low temperature economical process for rapidly making plastic articles from resinous powders wherein the resultant articles can comprise various polymers including oriented polymers; polymers with a high practical heat distortion temperature; expanded polymers; ultra high molecular weight polymers; blended structures of two or more materials; or multilayered structures. The resinous powders are initially compressed into briquettes, which briquettes are heated to a temperature in the range from about the alpha transition temperature to less than the melting point or melt temperature of the polymer therein to both somewhat soften and sinter the briquettes. The sintered briquettes are forged under conditions which permit substantial plug flow deformation into preforms whereby fusion of the sintered resin powder particles occurs.

Abstract: A scrap-free, substantially solid phase, relatively low temperature economical process for rapidly making plastic articles from resinous powders wherein the resultant articles can comprise various polymers including oriented polymers; polymers with a high practical heat distortion temperature; expanded polymers; ultra high molecular weight polymers; blended structures of two or more materials; or multilayered structures. The resinous powders are initially compressed into briquettes, which briquettes are heated to a temperature in the range from about the alpha transition temperature to less than the melting point or melt temperature of the polymer therein to both somewhat soften and sinter the briquettes. The sintered briquettes are forged under conditions which permit substantial plug flow deformation into preforms whereby fusion of the sintered resin powder particles occurs.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a ribbed pattern on extruded film by differential cooling of the film during its stretching process. The film is extruded through a tubular film die, stretching as it leaves the die. Cooling mechanisms rotate about the tube as it is being extruded to define a large plurality of narrow strips on the melt as it is being extruded. The film is fixed in space to maintain a close proximity to the cooling mechanisms in order to achieve sharply defined ribs. A cross-ribbed pattern can be obtained by counter-rotating the cooling mechanisms. Increased tear strength is imparted to the film without increasing the amount of resin necessary to make the film. Such tube can be formed into high strength film products such as trash bags and the like.

Abstract: A method of affecting the tail end of a roll of plastic film to render it readily identifiable and easy to grasp and start without tearing the film web into strips. The tail end of the film is embossed on-line as it is separated and about to be wound up on a roll core. The method is accomplished by securing the tail end between a heated surface on the upstream side of a knife on a cut-off roll and a lifting and embossment mechanism to provide a wide embossment across the tail end of the film at about the time it is severed from the film stock. The method produces a novel puckered tail, particularly for highly oriented films where tension is relieved while the tail end is still heated.

Abstract: A method of affecting the tail end of a roll of plastic film to render it readily identifiable and easy to grasp and start without tearing the film web into strips. The tail end of the film is embossed on-line as it is separated and about to be wound up on a roll core. The method is accomplished by securing the tail end between a heated surface on the upstream side of a knife on a cut-off roll and a lifting and embossment mechanism to provide a wide embossment across the tail end of the film at about the time it is severed from the film stock. The method produces a novel puckered tail, particularly for highly oriented films where tension is relieved while the tail end is still heated.

Abstract: A device for closing zippers on plastic bags, the device being separable from the bags to enable repeated usage. The closing device is adapted to function as an extension of the finger-thumb action. It comprises a generally inverted U-shaped channel for receiving the interlocking elements of the zipper with the opposing legs of the device being resilient and engageable toward one another to press the interlocking zipper elements together. A guide is formed in the legs to align the zipper elements. Projections opposite the guide aid in giving a sense to the user of aligning of the guide with the zipper elements.

Abstract: A method of affecting the tail end of a roll of plastic film to render it readily identifiable and easy to grasp and start without tearing the film web into strips. The tail end of the film is embossed on-line as it is separated and about to be wound up on a roll core. The method is accomplished by securing the tail end between a heated surface on the upstream side of a knife on a cut-off roll and a lifting and embossment mechanism to provide a wide embossment across the tail end of the film at about the time it is severed from the film stock. The method produces a novel puckered tail, particularly for highly oriented films where tension is relieved while the tail end is still heated.

Abstract: An improvement in the process of forming plastic articles wherein such articles are forged from a compression formed briquette of resinous powder, such improvement comprising (1) compressing a resinous powder having lamellar crystalline nonspherulitic morphology into a substantially unoriented briquette having green strength, (2) removing the briquette from the compressing device and placing the briquette in a forging press wherein lubrication is provided between the contacting surfaces of the briquette and the forging press to permit plug flow, and (3) forging the briquette into a shaped article while maintaining the briquette at a temperature between the alpha-transition temperature and the melt temperature of the resinous powder.

Abstract: An arrangement of insulating, thermal absorbing and/or dissipating elements controlling heat flow between a member and its environment. In certain permafrost environments, for example, one or more elements of the system can include a heat sink and/or a thermal bleed where the member is heated. The arrangement controls heat flow from a heated member at such a rate that the total heat transfer does not exceed the limits of the residual heat capacity of permafrost below the freezing point thereof during cyclic climatic influences. The arrangement takes advantage of the fact that artificial heat from the heated member can be controlled, while natural solar heat is balanced by the seasons. The elements also serve to maintain relatively stable temperature differentials between heated or cryogenic materials and their adjacent ground support, so there is a minimal effect of one on the other.

Abstract: A plastic container for planting tree seedlings in a mechanized process, and being in the shape of a projectile suitable for penetration into soil. The planting container is highly oriented in its longitudinal direction with a number of longitudinal grooves positioned on the inside, outside or both sides thereof. The grooves include slits and holes to permit drainage, egress of growing roots, and aiding in the self-destruction of the container after being injected into the ground with a seedling. The self-destruction can be further promoted by the use of stress cracking agents within the plastic material comprising the planting container.

Abstract: A scrap free process for rapidly making thermoplastic containers wherein the resultant containers can, if desired, be multilayered for vapor or gas barrier or other reasons, or be oriented for toughness and improved stress crack resistance. The containers can be formed from multilayered or homogeneous plastic sheets wherein a relatively thin thermoplastic blank is provided. This blank is lubricated, heated and forged into a desired shape preform with a predetermined lip configuration. The center portion of each said preform is maintained at a forming temperature while the peripheral portion thereof is rapidly brought below the softening point of the plastic resin. The preform is then immediately thermoformed into a container having a desired shape and size, and cooled. If desired, the preform can be forged, cooled and recovered from a subsequent thermoforming operation.

Abstract: An arrangement of insulating, thermal absorbing and/or dissipating elements controlling heat flow between a member and its environment. In certain permafrost environments, for example, one or more elements of the system can include a heat sink and/or a thermal bleed where the member is heated. The arrangement controls heat flow from a heated member at such a rate that the total heat transfer does not exceed the limits of the residual heat capacity of permafrost below the freezing point thereof during cyclic climatic influences. The arrangement takes advantage of the fact that artificial heat from the heated member can be controlled, while natural solar heat is balanced by the seasons. The elements also serve to maintain relatively stable temperature differentials between heated or cryogenic materials and their adjacent ground support, so there is a minimal effect of one on the other.

Abstract: A device for wrapping sheet, such as a foam panel, about a tubularly shaped object article, such as pipe sections of a pipeline. The device engages the substantially flat sheet and cams it about the curved pipe body circumference by pivoting yokes so as to cause the sheet to be wrapped about the pipe body. After the sheet is wrapped about the pipe body its free edges are fastened together so that the device can be removed.