Abstract: The processes and resins of the present invention allow the extrusion of polymer products, such as polymer films, that have a reduced occurrence of surface aberrations, e.g., surface melt fracture and/or haze bands and/or haze. Preferably, the polymer products produced in accordance with the present invention are substantially free of surface aberrations even when manufactured under conditions of high sheer stress such as those conditions that occur at commercial production rates. In part, the present invention provides processes for polymer extrusion wherein the resins employed are treated using heat in an atmosphere sufficient to substantially eliminate the tendency to create surface aberrations. The resins can have reduced or substantially eliminated concentrations of low molecular weight components. In some embodiments, both the polymer resins and the extruded polymer products have reduced concentrations of processing aid(s), e.g.

Abstract: An improved air cooling method for the production of cast film is shown. The device is intended to increase production rates for film without reducing the level of film gauge control. The devices utilizes a soft box for the bulk of the cooling and a directional source of pressurized air to deflect exhaust air from the soft box from striking the web curtain between the die and chill roll.

Abstract: An improved air cooling device for the production of cast film is shown. The device is intended to increase production rates for film without reducing the level of film gauge control. The devices utilizes a soft box for the bulk of the cooling and a directional source of pressurized air to deflect exhaust air from the soft box from striking the web curtain between the die and chill roll.

Abstract: A combustor extension for a heat gun where the heat gun has a jet pump for mixing pressurized fuel with air to form an air/fuel mixture and a combustor attachment for combusting the air/fuel mixture. The jet pump has a first electrical connector for providing an electrical charge to an ignition device at the combustor attachment for igniting the air/fuel mixture. The combustor extension includes a hollow conduit having proximal and distal ends for extending between and coupling the combustor attachment to the jet pump. A second electrical connector at the proximal end of the conduit electrically couples to the first electrical connector of the jet pump. A third electrical connector at the distal end of the conduit electrically couples to the ignition device of the combustor attachment. The second and third electrical connectors are electrically connected together.

Abstract: A jet pump for a heat gun includes an elongate hollow pump body lying along a longitudinal axis. The pump body has an inlet, a mixing section and an outlet. A nozzle unit is axially aligned with the inlet for directing pressurized fuel into the inlet of the pump body. Movement of the pressurized fuel into the inlet causes air to be drawn into the inlet to mix with the fuel within the pump body. A disk shaped air diverter is axially spaced away from the inlet of the pump body. The diverter has a length and a diameter. The diameter of the diverter is greater than the length of the diverter and larger than the inlet of the pump body. A housing is radially spaced from and surrounds the diverter forming a first annular gap therearound for air outside the housing to pass therethrough. The air moves around the diverter then changes direction between the diverter and the inlet of the pump body before entering the inlet.

Abstract: A sideweld bag making machine utilizing a rotary transfer device and wicket conveyer is equipped with screw adjustable transfer wicket pins. The bases for the transfer wicket pins are mounted on a threaded rod having two sections of thread, each of opposite hand. Rotation of this threaded rod affects the separation of the wicket pins. Adjustment of vertical position is accomplished by means of two jacking screws or a screw adjustment in conjunction with a motion limiting rail element.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag making machine having a sealing bar assembly driven by two separate linear drive units is initialized following full shutdown by traversing the linear drive units at constant velocity against mechanical stops, and then resetting position error signals and traversing the bar a known distance to a home position. This procedure is also useful for single linear drive units, as well as multiple linear drive units that must be coordinated for position and motion. In the case of multiple drive units, procedure for offsetting travel distances off the stop for non-uniformity in stop positions is utilized.

Abstract: A sideweld bag making machine equipped with a rotary bag transfer device and wicket conveyer utilizes a modified wicket stacking plate and transfer wicket pins to effectively place the bags on permanent wickets as they are stacked on the wicket conveyer. Stacking bags directly onto this permanent wire wicket avoids the need for the operator to transfer the stacked and counted bags from transfer wicket pins to permanent wire wickets as part of the bag packing operation.

Abstract: A sideweld bag making machine utilizing a rotary transfer device and wicket conveyer is equipped with a movable bag stacking guide that is used to align bags as they are stacked on the wicket conveyer. The bag stacking guide, which is mounted on the wicket conveyer, has a first raised position for accumulating bags as they are made, and a second lowered positioned to free stack bags for wicket conveyer indexing. The stacking guide is particularly useful for bags having lengths substantially greater than their width.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for controlling thickness of plastic films produced by the blown film process. The apparatus is an air cooling ring modified to include devices for locally modifying the temperature of the air discharged from the air ring onto the blown bubble. Local variations in the temperature of the cooling air applied to the surface of the bubble result in variations in the bubble cooling rate and viscosity, with consequent variations in thinning during transverse bubble expansion. The method includes controlling the location and extent of local temperature variation applied to the bubble in response to comparison of measured film thickness with a desired film thickness.