Abstract: A method of incorporating an additive into a polymer composition includes the step of melt blending a polymer with a dispersion comprising a liquid carrier, an unmodified clay, and an additive. Using the dispersion rather than a polymer-based additive masterbatch saves energy. Like a polymer-based masterbatch, the dispersion provides the additive in a diluted form and therefore preserves the masterbatch's advantages of providing more uniform distribution additive in the plastic and avoiding direct handling of additives in the final compounding step. The dispersion is also described.

Abstract: A hay-type crop harvester has a chassis supported on the ground on wheels and normally displaceable along the ground in a predetermined travel direction. A crop cutter is mounted ahead of the wheels on the chassis and extends transversely substantially the full width of the chassis so as to cut a swath of crop and pass it backward. A central crop conditioner is provided on the chassis between the wheels thereof and two outer crop conditioners are each provided on a respective side of the chassis to respective sides of the wheels. An auger provided with oppositely directed screwthread formations at each of the conditioners transports the crop laterally so that after being cut in a single wide swath it is subdivided into three portions each of which is fed to a respective conditioner. Thereafter the portions may be laid down in windrows between and outside the wheels of the harvester.