Abstract: A method and non-fiber-forming, molded article-forming structure for making a non-fiber, multicomponent molded article containing a plurality of components in a predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration, wherein the method involves feeding the plurality of respectively dissimilar fluid components, mutually separated, into the molded article-forming structure, which contains a plate flow distributor and a non-fiber-forming shaping section; wherein the flow distributor is made up of at least one distribution plate which is preferably thin and has micromachined on at least one facial surface thereof multiple distribution flow paths having a flow pattern effective to distribute and combine the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-laminate configuration; directing the mutually separated components through the multiple distribution flow paths to distribute and arrange the components to form a fluid structure containing the plurality of components in the predetermined spatial, non-lamina

Abstract: A plastic resin kneading/extruding method using one auxiliary equipment including a screw drive source and a resin feed hopper, and a plurality of extruding units each including a cylinder with a feed opening and a screw and having their operations composed of an extruding step of kneading and extruding the plastic resin and a cleaning step of cleaning the screw and the cylinder, characterized in that the extruding step and the cleaning step are sequentially alternated for each of the extruding units. Thus, it is possible to realize a kneading/extruding method and an apparatus therefor, which can accomplish synthetically continuous extruding operations without the extruding step zone being interrupted by the cleaning step zone and which can eliminate the defects of the prior art thereby to have a high extruding efficiency.

Abstract: A method for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer tube where the temperature of the mandrel and the extrusion pressure used for extruding a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer are determined before preparing the tube. The temperature of the mandrel and the extrusion pressure are set to overlap two predetermined temperature ranges. One temperature range permits hot drawing of the tube preform, and the second temperature range provides a tube preform free from the occurrence of bubbles on its surface. After the two temperature and extrusion pressure ranges are determined, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer is extruded on the periphery of a heated mandrel under pressure using a mandrel temperature and extrusion pressure where the two predetermined ranges overlap. Thereafter, the mandrel is pulled out to provide a tube preform, and the tube preform is hot drawn to produce a tube having a desired outer diameter.

Abstract: Methods for forming a strip of thermoplastic material by punch clamping are described.

Abstract: A method of charging a nonwoven web of thermoplastic microfibers to provide electret filter media is provided. The method includes impinging on a nonwoven web of thermoplastic nonconductive microfibers capable of having a high quantity of trapped charge jets of water or a stream of water droplets at a pressure sufficient to provide the web with filtration enhancing electret charge and drying said web.

Abstract: An insulator composition of foamed synthetic resin is supplied to an extruder 3, and the synthetic resin is extruded onto a wire 4a continuously supplied to the extruder 3 at a temperature higher than or equal to a foaming temperature, to cover the wire 4a with the insulator composition. Then, the wire 4a covered with the insulator composition is solidified by cooling in a water-cooling trough 6 movable towards and away from the extruder 3 in a direction of supply of the wire 4a. In this operation, an outer diameter D and a capacitance C of the insulator composition are controlled such that when the water-cooling trough 6 reaches its movable limit, either a deviation .DELTA.D of a detection value of the outer diameter D from its target preset value or a deviation .DELTA.C of a detection value of the capacitance C from its target preset value is selected as a deviation (.DELTA.D or .DELTA.

Abstract: An improved method of inducing piezoelectric properties in polymer films, ch as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films and co-polymers thereof. This improved method involves applying uniaxial tensile forces to pre-aligned polymer films while simultaneously applying an electric poling field to the pre-aligned polymer films at room temperature to provide enhanced piezoelectric properties. This improved method does not require the use of heating equipment or temperature cycling equipment during the electric field poling of the polymer and thus represents a simpler and more cost efficient process of inducing piezoelectric properties in polymers.

Abstract: A method for preparing optical quality, thin films of rigid-rod polymers and co-polymers, as well as blends of such polymers or co-polymers with flexible coil-like aromatic heterocyclic polymers and co-polymers which comprises(a) preparing a solution of the rigid-rod polymer or co-polymer or blend in a suitable solvent;(b) forming a film from the solution;(c) exposing the film to a non-solvent vapor for about 1 to 5 minutes per micron thickness in the finished film; and(d) coagulating the film in a non-solvent.This method can be employed to prepare films of high nonlinear optical susceptibility for electro-optical device applications. Because of their thermal stability, mechanical strength and chemical resistance, films prepared according to this method can also be used as filters and separation membranes.

Abstract: A method of making by extrusion-molding an elongated window frame used for a window panel of a vehicle is to use an extrusion molding die which includes a slide core defining the cross-sectional shape of the window frame, and to move the slide core in the extrusion-molding die so that the cross-sectional shape of the window frame is continuously changed along the direction of the length.

Abstract: A process for reducing stresses and strains of thermoplastics is described wherein the process includes the step of heating the outer layer of the thermoplastic with a heat source to produce a resin having favorable physical and chemical properties.

Abstract: Secondary discharge slots are cut into the face of newly made or used extrusion dies such that the secondary discharge slots communicate transversely and longitudinally with primary discharge slots but do not communicate with the feed holes. The novel extrusion die arrangement is set forth for the production of ceramic honeycomb structures which produce a greater number of cells per square inch, protrusions on the cell walls, or a combination of both dependent upon the Primary Slots' Volume to Secondary Slots' volume ratio. The secondary discharge slots can produce honeycomb substrates with much greater surface areas, using an extrusion die with a significantly reduced number of feed holes and a greater number of discharge slots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding an elastomeric polymer which is subject to periodic pressure surges. The apparatus includes a barrel having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, a hopper positioned for delivering polymer to the upstream portion of the barrel, a shaft rotationally mounted within the barrel and a drive means for rotating the shaft. The shaft has a conveying screw flight for conveying polymer downstream from the hopper through the barrel. The barrel has a discharge port located downstream of the hopper. A surge suppressor is provided on the shaft for reducing the pressure and flow rate surges in the polymer. The surge suppressor includes a screw flight downstream of the discharge port for urging the polymer upstream toward the discharge while permitting a portion of the polymer to flow downstream into the surge suppressor. A polymer seal is provided downstream of the surge suppressor.

Abstract: A method and device for molding a door seal, such as for an automobile. The device is provided with a first extrusion passage for extruding a molding material into a hollow portion of the door seal. A second extrusion passage is provided for extruding molding material into a bridge which spans across the hollow portion of the door seal. A molding material discharge member, such as a pipe, is movably inserted into the molding die and can be moved between open and closed positions relative to a molding material supply passage for permitting material to be intermittently extruded through the second passage, whereas material is substantially continuously extruded through the first passage, thereby permitting the bridge to be molded to the hollow portion at selected locations therealong.

Abstract: A process for producing a cured composite and flexible light pipe, in which a molten cladding polymer and a crosslinkable core mixture are concurrently and coaxially extruded through a core mixture delivery tube of a coextrusion die, the extruded tubular cladding is filled with the extruded crosslinkable core mixture, and the crosslinkable core mixture is cured within the tubular cladding.

Abstract: An isobaric vaporization cooling for extruded thermoplastic profiles is carried out at 25 inches Hg in a tank by spraying water onto the extrusions. The water vapor and any air entering the tank are withdrawn to maintain the pressure constant during the cooling and the condensate from the withdrawn vapor is recycled to the spraying nozzles.

Abstract: A polymeric article and method for making a polymeric article, such as a catheter, are disclosed wherein the article is contacted with a swelling agent, such as a solvent, and a plasticizer to make the polymeric material softer and/or more pliable or flexible. The contacting may be carried our sequentially or simultaneously, using a solution containing a plasticizer and a solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in the context of a rotating conveying screw situated within a cylindrical housing which has an inlet port on one end of the cylinder and a discharge opening on the other end of the cylinder. A resistance plate is mounted transversely to the conveying screw near the discharge opening for corotation with the screw. The plate is mounted to define a discharge gap between the opening and the plate. A sleeve on the housing is employed to adjust the size of the gap between the plate and the opening. A process controller positions the sleeve by means of a pair of screw jacks. The controller adjusts the discharge gap width to maintain feed material temperature within a predetermined band. Alternatively the controller adjusts the discharge gap width and feed screw speed to maintain a predetermined specific energy input into the feed material. The helical screw is preferably supported at both ends by a bearing means.

Abstract: A method of forming an elongated trim strip product includes extruding a first strip of thermoplastic material from a die having an outlet with an area at least substantially as great as the desired cross-sectional area of the strip product in planes perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. Immediately subsequent to the step of extruding and while the extruded strip is still in a plastic state, it is passed longitudinally between cooperating forming rolls to shape the cross section of the extruded strip to the desired shape and cross section of the strip product. Further, while passing between the rolls a logo or lettering is formed on the strip. While the extruded strip is passing between the cooperating forming rolls, a backing strip of foil or thin metal is directed between the rolls in alignment with the extruded strip to bond the backing strip to the extruded strip.

Abstract: Semi-finished GMT sheet material of GMT recyclate in which more than 50% by weight of the glass fibers are more than 2 mm in length and which is produced by extruding GMT recyclate particles without significant comminution of the glass fibers.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing a phase retarder film or sheet comprising continuously supplying a stretched thermoplastic resin film or sheet to a heating zone in parallel with the stretching direction of the film or sheet and heating the film or sheet to a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of the resin while applying pressure to the surface of the film or sheet passing through the heating zone, thereby continuously subjecting the film or sheet to thermal relaxation while suppressing the expansion of the film or sheet in a direction parallel to the surface of the film or sheet and perpendicular to the stretching axis. According to the present invention, a phase retarder film or sheet having a low angular dependence of retardation can be produced continuously. By using the phase retarder film(s) or sheet(s) thus obtained as optical compensator(s), the viewing angle characteristics of liquid crystal display devices can remarkably be improved.