Abstract: Thermoplastic material in particulate form and containing a blowing agent is partially expanded by means of a mixture of steam and another hot dry gas such as air present in specified proportions in said mixture.

Abstract: A running length of plastic film is processed by submerging a bight of the film in a bath of treatment liquid and drawing the film longitudinally therethrough by a pair of pinch rolls mounted closely adjacent and parallel to the top surface of the treatment liquid. The pinch rolls mechanically remove adhering droplets of the treatment liquid from the film as it emerges from the bath to thereby prevent non-uniform treatment. The film is washed as it emerges from the nip of the pinch rolls by flowing a rinsing liquid into the exit nip and along the axes of the rolls, and means are provided to prevent mixing the rinsing liquid with the treatment liquid. A property of the treated film, e.g., its light transmissions is continuously monitored and the time of submersion of the film in the treatment liquid is varied in accordance with the monitored property to assure uniform treatment.

Abstract: ABS polymers having improved physical properties are prepared by graft polymerizing, in an aqueous medium, and in the presence of a suspending agent, styrene and acryonitrile onto a butadiene polymer in the form of a latex using certain peroxy ester catalysts.

Abstract: An energy saving and material conserving apparatus is provided for expanding and molding expandable thermoplastic polymer particles. Especially significant is the ability to produce molded objects of generally uniform density in the higher density range in the order of 4 - 15 pounds per square inch, or greater, as well as lower density molded objects due to improved control of the particle expansion.The particles are partially expanded in a vessel in a heated substantially dry atmosphere and agitated in a manner to provide uniform heating thereof. After an initial heating period to soften and partially expand the particles they are subjected to superatmospheric pressure to substantially prevent further expansion and are discharged and conveyed to a mold for further expansion therein.

Abstract: ABS polymers having improved physical properties are prepared by graft polymerizing, in an aqueous medium and in the presence of an effective amount of suspending agent and polymerization catalyst, styrene and acrylonitrile onto a butadiene polymer in the form of a latex, said butadiene polymer latex being characterized by a particle size of about 1000 to 3000 A, a gel content of about 20-85% by weight, and a swell index of about 18-150.

Abstract: An energy saving and material conserving method and apparatus are provided for expanding and molding expandable thermoplastic polymer particles. Especially significant is the ability to produce molded objects of generally uniform density in the higher density range in the order of 4-15 pounds per square inch, or greater, as well as lower density molded objects due to improved control of the particle expansion.The particles are partially expanded in a vessel in a heated substantially dry atmosphere and agitated in a manner to provide uniform heating thereof. After an initial heating period to soften and partially expand the particles they are subjected to superatmospheric pressure to substantially prevent further expansion and are discharged and conveyed to a mold for further expansion therein.

Abstract: Polymer compositions having enhanced oxygen index values as measured by ASTM Method D-2863-70 are disclosed, which compositions contain effective amounts of a bromo or chloro derivative of stilbene.

Abstract: Sulfone polymers are disclosed containing bibenzyl sulfone repeating units having the formula ##STR1## These polymers exhibit good mechanical properties, toughness, flexiblity, thermal and chemical stability and can be heat processed, extruded, drawn or otherwise formed into shaped articles having a high degree of strength and good dielectric properties.

Abstract: A high impact polyamide resin is prepared by interpolymerizing with polyamide forming monomers a minor amount of an approximately equi-molar mixture of a low molecular weight diolefin polymer, and a dimerized fat acid or acid derivative, said diolefin polymer and dimerized fat acid or derivative having terminal amide-forming functional groups of each end of the polymer chain.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for extruding expandable thermoplastic material having a cellular internal body portion and formed thereon a substantially non-cellular high density skin. The extruded material is contacted by a pair of continuously traveling temperature controlled belts immediately upon leaving the extrusion die which serve to form the high density skin thereon and the spacing of the belts is selectively controlled downstream from the extrusion die with the use of selectively adjustable belt backing members. Selectively controlling the spacing of the belts while the extruded material is undergoing expansion or foaming results in a predetermined internal cellular structure of said extruded material especially with regard to the size and distribution of the cells across a cross-section of the material.

Abstract: A quick and reproducible method is disclosed for evaluating the impact properties of relatively stiff materials such as plastic. A test specimen in the form of a thin unnotched strand of known thickness is mounted in a holding means and subjected to impact by a pendulum type striking means having a predetermined potential energy content. The excess energy remaining in the striking means after breaking the specimen is measured and impact values determined by a mathematical formula as a function of specimen thickness and energy required to break the specimen.

Abstract: A protective case for clip-on sunglasses (clip-ons) including a rigid plastic pouched shaped body having means thereon for preventing damage to the lenses or clip structure of the clip-ons and for maintaining the clip-ons properly positioned in the case to prevent inadvertent slippage or removal thereof.

Abstract: Graft interpolymers are provided which comprise the polymerization product of a polybutadiene having a cis butadiene content of at least 25 percent and a 1,2-addition butadiene content of not more than about ten percent and of a vinyl aromatic monomer. Processes for their production are also provided. These graft interpolymer compositions are useful in molding many consumer articles such as containers, refrigerator liners, sheet, trays, etc.

Abstract: New polymeric compositions having a resistance to zinc chloride are prepared by copolymerizing polyamide-producing monomers containing up to 9 carbon atoms in each molecule of monomer with a long chain hydrocarbon diacid and a long chain hydrocarbon diamine.

Abstract: A running length of plastic film is processed by submerging a bight of the film in a bath of treatment liquid and drawing the film longitudinally therethrough by a pair of pinch rolls mounted closely adjacent and parallel to the top surface of the treatment liquid. The pinch rolls mechanically remove adhering droplets of the treatment liquid from the film as it emerges from the bath to thereby prevent non-uniform treatment. The film is washed as it emerges from the nip of the pinch rolls by flowing a rinsing liquid into the exit nip and along the axes of the rolls, and means are provided to prevent mixing the rinsing liquid with the treatment liquid. A property of the treated film, e.g., its light transmissions is continuously monitored and the time of submersion of the film in the treatment liquid is varied in accordance with the monitored property to assure uniform treatment.

Abstract: A 3-D viewer and the method and apparatus for the fabrication thereof, said viewer including a pair of plastic polarized lenses each ultrasonically cut out from a sheet of polarized material simultaneously ultrasonically sealed about a lens opening in a lens receiving frame.

Abstract: Compositions based on blends of polyamide and vinyl aromatic resins having improved resistance to fibrillation may be prepared by the addition of a minor amount of a copolymer comprising a vinyl aromatic monomer and maleic anhydride followed by thorough mixing of the blend components at a temperature in excess of the melting point of the composition. Compositions prepared according to this invention exhibit improved resistance to fibrillation and good compatibility.

Abstract: Molded articles are made from expandable thermoplastic resin material by pre-expanding the thermoplastic material in particulate or bead form containing as the principal expanding agent a liquid hydrocarbon by contact with steam until the desired degree of expansion is obtained, heating the beads in a stream of substantially dry, hot gas at a temperature above the boiling point of the hydrocarbon but below the fusion temperatures of the thermoplastic material while agitating the beads to prevent agglomeration upon softening until substantially all of the moisture is removed from the surfaces of the pre-expanded beads, and molding the article from the heated pre-expanded beads by placing them in a closed mold and heating them to a temperature above their fusion temperature, the temperature of the thermoplastic material being continuously maintained above the boiling point of the expanding agent from the time the beads are pre-expanded until they are molded into the shaped article.