Abstract: An apparatus for pelletizing a polymer melt, in which the polymer melt to be pelletized is divided in a housing of a pelletizing device into at least two part-streams, which are deflected and fed to at least two die plates which are spatially separate from one another and are heatable, whereupon the polymer melt streams are transformed into pellets by the cutting devices downstream of the die plates and are post-treated by means of a cooling medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing molded polyester articles having a low acetaldehyde content bya) reacting a glycol and a dicarboxylic acid in the melt phase to form a polyester having an I.V. of about 0.65-0.85,b) solidifying and pelletizing said polyester,c) remelting said polyester in an extruder, and,d) forming said polyester into shaped articles, wherein the polyester is devolatilized during or following said polymerization in the melt, while it is being remelted, after remelting, or any combination by passing a purge gas over said molten polyester.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring workpiece and workpiece material characteristics using microwave energy are disclosed. A system includes a chamber, including means for generating variable frequency microwave energy; means for positioning a workpiece within the chamber; means for subjecting the workpiece to a plurality of different microwave frequencies; and means for monitoring characteristics of the workpiece. One or more characteristics of a workpiece, or workpiece material, may be monitored by positioning the workpiece within a chamber having means for generating variable frequency microwave energy; subjecting the workpiece to microwave irradiation at a plurality of frequencies; detecting power reflection for each one of the plurality of microwave frequencies to provide power reflection data; and comparing the power reflection data to a predetermined set of power reflection data.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester film having a surface layer whose major component is polyester A. Protrusions are formed on the film surface originating from the crystallization of polyester A. The number of protrusions formed on the surface of the film is not less than 5.times.10.sup.3 /mm.sup.2, and the ratio N.sub.R of the number of protrusions to the number of particles contained in a surface layer forming the surface of the film is not less than 5. Since most of or the whole of the protrusions are formed by utilizing the crystallization of polyester A without relying particles, generation of voids can be prevented and fine and uniform protrusions having excellent chipping resistance and scratch resistance can be formed.

Abstract: An oriented multilayer film comprises a barrier layer of polymerized ethylene vinyl alcohol, and an orientation-compatible polymeric layer having a modulus of at least about 4.times.10.sup.4 psi. The a barrier layer occupies from about 2 to 15 volume percent of the oriented multilayer film, and has a thickness of from about 0.01 to 0.75 mils. The polymerized ethylene vinyl alcohol has an ethylene content of from about 38 to 48 weight percent. The orientation compatible layer has a thickness of from about 0.49 to 4.5 mils. The multilayer film is oriented at a temperature of from about 165.degree. F. to 212.degree. F., has an orientation ratio greater than 9, an oxygen permeability at 0% relative humidity of from about 1 and 6 cm.sup.3 -mil/day-m.sup.2 -atm, and a total thickness of from about 0.5 to 5 mils.

Abstract: This invention concerns a device used in the process of manufacturing an automobile pane 1 equipped with a polymer frame 52 placed on the edge of the pane 1. The frame 52 is extruded onto the pane 1 which can be moved by means of a suitable support in such a way that the edge of the pane travels through a recess in an extrusion head 25 and 40. The recess of the extrusion head 40 preferably includes a U-shaped jaw 41 straddling the edge of the pane. At the front extremity of the two half-jaws of the U-shaped jaw 41 there are disposed sealing ledges or shoes 42 and 43 which are movable perpendicularly to the surfaces of the pane and which, during extrusion, bear upon the surfaces of the pane. Alternatively, the extrusion head can include a fixed jaw where the sealing ledges or shoes slideably and sealingly contact the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composite tubular article consisting of a vulcanized elastomer containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride functional groups, which is used in combination with a thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks. The composite tubular article is prepared such that it consists of an inner layer of thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks sheathed by extrusion at an appropriate temperature with an elastomeric composition comprising a synthetic or natural elastomer containing carboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid anhydride functional groups, a crosslinking system and optionally various adjuvants and fillers. Optionally, an innermost layer consisting of a thermoplastic with good liquid-barrier properties is present. The composite tubular article obtained is vulcanized, preferably at a temperature of between -5.degree. C. and +30.degree. C. in relation to the Vicat point of the said thermoplastic elastomer containing polyamide blocks.

Abstract: This invention relates to flash spinning a plexifilamentary film-fibril strand and laying it down into sheet material including the step of subjecting the strand to an electrostatic charge. The invention is particularly focused on cleaning, and maintaining clean, the target plate of the electrostatic charging system by scrubbing or scouring the surface of the target plate with a highly abrasive brush moving at a relatively high speed. The target plate is selected to be abrasion resistant.

Abstract: A system for curing composite structures. A hollow bladder having opposing open ends is secured within a metal pressure vessel so as to define an annular space within the vessel surrounding the bladder. The open ends of the bladder are sealably attached to opposing entrances formed in the pressure vessel so that the bladder is sealed from communication with the vessel and is accessible through the opposing openings. An uncured composite part can be inserted into the bladder. Preheated and pressurized fluid is circulated through the annular space and thus around the bladder in order to cure the composite part. The composite part may also be encapsulated within a forming bladder member which is then removably inserted into the pressure bladder.

Abstract: A stationary axle is secured adjacent to an extruder of plastic or other material forming a strand. A rotor rotates about the axle and carries a plurality of axially extending cutters for pelletizing the strand. The shaft has an internal fluid conduit carrying pressurized air. A sleeve is fixed to and over the shaft and has a recess forming a fluid manifold in communication with the conduit and the rotor. The recess has a given angular extent about the sleeve. A plurality of annularly spaced linear arrays of passages in the rotor communicate with the recess manifold in accordance with their angular position about the shaft. The passages of each array are aligned with the edge of a different cutter for sequentially generating arrays of streams of pressurized air impinging upon the cutters after pelletizing as the rotor rotates.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding at least two layers of polymers at substantially different temperatures wherein a first die has portions connected to a second die and portions spaced from the second die. Insulation is provided between the first and second dies and the first die is water cooled. A layer of insulation is provided between the spaced portion of the first and second dies. A third die is mounted to the second die and co-extrudes a third material onto the laminate formed by the first and second dies. The third die is connected to the second die but has portions spaced from the second die. The spaced portion between the second and third dies are insulated. A thermosetting polymer, such as FKM, is extruded by the first die at a temperature of about 180.degree.-200.degree. F. A fluorinated, thermoplastic polymer, such as THV, is extruded from the second die at a temperature of about 480.degree. F. A thermosetting polymer, such as ECO, used to extrude multilayered fuel tubing.

Abstract: The height of the bulge in the glazing roll gap of a supercalender in the extrusion of plates or films of a thermoplastic material smoothed on both sides may be controlled by measuring the location of the edges of the plastic sheet by means of measuring sensors and regulating the speed of the roll or the rate of extrusion of the polymer melt based on the width of the sheet so that the height of the bulge is always kept within tight tolerances.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a tube-like extrusion profile includes the steps of: simultaneously conveying a number of, in the circumferential direction of the profile, divided streams of material of at least two different compositions to a molding-nozzle; and, making the streams flow together in the molding-nozzle. At least one of the streams is supplied rotating in a circumferential direction. Preferably at least two streams of material are supplied rotating in opposite directions, so that at least two helically shaped bands of material extend in opposite directions in the extrusion profile. The method also includes the step of: allowing the combined streams of material to cool off into the extrusion profile so that the streams of material supplied in a rotating manner extend helically in the extrusion profile formed by the method.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a resin structure reinforced with long fibers. A continuous fiber bundle is impregnated with a resin melt while the fiber bundle is being drawn continuously. Thereafter, the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle is shaped so as to have a cross-section of the intended final product. The shaped resin-impregnated fiber bundle is then cut at a downstream location. Shaping of the resin-impregnated fiber bundle is accomplished by a plurality of rolls, each having grooves formed on the outer periphery thereof which receive the continuous resin-impregnated fiber bundle. The grooves and the rolls are arranged such that the rolls are placed, in an alternating manner, at upper and lower positions with respect to the fiber bundle which is being drawn and such that the grooves of the rolls on the elevation plane perpendicular to the running direction of the fiber bundle forms a shape of the cross-section of the intended final product.

Abstract: A one-piece tube multi-pack and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The one-piece tube multi-pack includes an elongated thin-walled tubular element made of transparent flexible plastic material with inner and outer peripherally extending walls. At least one thin-walled web section is integrally connected to the inner peripheral extending wall of the tubular element and has greater flexibility than the tubular element in order to adjustably accommodate a plurality of separate discrete products positioned on opposite sides of the at least one integral web section. The at least one integral thin-walled web section may be connected to the inner peripherally extending wall of the tubular element at different relative locations, for example, in a spiral or curvilinear or other shaped path throughout the tubular element.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for molding parts. The system comprises a plasticator and press. The plasticator is capable of receiving a plurality of molding materials comprising a predetermined amount of a polyester, at least one other carbocylic and reinforcing fiber, such as glass fiber. The plasticator is characterized in that it is capable of simultaneously receiving contaminated molding materials and relatively long glass fibers and molding them into a billet wherein the fibers remain substantially undamaged. The billet is subsequently in a compression molding press where other materials may be molded or applied to its surface. The system is further characterized in that a single thermal rise is used to plasticate the molding materials.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a plastic component constructed, at least in part, from polychlorotrifluoroethylene, having improved properties. The method creates a component from a composition that has polychlorotrifluoroethylene, heats the component to a temperature that is greater than the melting point of the composition, and rapidly quenches the component in a cold medium.

Abstract: Polyester-containing multilayer biaxially-oriented polypropylene films are provided. According to the invention, a two- or three-layer polyester-containing cap layer is bonded to a monoaxially oriented polypropylene core, followed by orientation of the resulting composite in a direction transverse to the direction of orientation of the core layer. At least one tie layer is interposed between the core and the polyester. Advantageously, the polyester contains silicone fluid as a processing aid.

Abstract: A method is provided for installing a refractory lining in a metallurgical vessel having a main opening which is much smaller than the diameter of the vessel. The method is especially useful in a vessel having a circular or otherwise curved cross-section. A form or mold is assembled inside the vessel, leaving a space between the form and the outer shell of the vessel. The form is supported on both sides, to maintain the distance between the form and the outer shell, and to prevent collapse or implosion of the form. Then, a pumpable casting composition having a smooth and easy flow is injected between the form and the shell, and allowed to harden. The use of the pumpable composition significantly shortens the time required to form the liner.

Abstract: Medium modulus molded polyethylene materials with improved impact strength are made. The polyethylene material is molded to pipes, bars, and sheets. The molded material comprises high molecular weight linear polyethylene and a substantially linear ethylene/.alpha.-olefin interpolymer. The material is more than about 0.23 mm thick, has a density in the range of about 0.923 to about 0.95 grams/cubic centimeter (g/cc) and has an excellent impact resistance.