Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.

Abstract: A multi-wall, seamless, helical tubular structure comprising, as a single seamless entity, an inner cylindrical element, an outer tubular element spaced radially from the inner cylindrical element; and a plurality of rib elements seamlessly contiguous with said inner and outer elements and in supporting relationship to said inner and outer elements; wherein the structure as a whole and all of the elements thereof are substantially helical in configuration. At least some of the next adjacent rib elements are disposed normal to said inner cylindrical and outer tubular elements whereby, in combination with the intercepted portions of said inner and outer elements, forming generally trapezoidal helical truss cells. One important use of these helical products is as cores for rolled goods such as plastic film or sheeting.

Abstract: A method for providing an end-stop for a slider on a resealable thermoplastic bag is provided. The resealable thermoplastic bag includes a profile track having a first side panel and a second side panel. A clip having first and second legs is made to straddle the profile track such that the first leg of the clip being proximate to the first side panel and the second leg of the clip being proximate to the second side panel. One of the legs has an inward-facing protrusion for engaging a corresponding recess on the panel proximate thereto, such that the clip resists vertical motion on the profile track. The other of the legs of the clip is sealed to the panel proximate thereto.

Abstract: This specification describes an apparatus for carrying out a method of making a multi-walled pipe in the shape of a tube having a helical configuration. The apparatus is made up of an extruder with multiple dies. These multiple dies include at least two concentric arcuate dies that are radially spaced apart and a plurality of relatively straight dies that radially connect the concentric arcuate dies. The apparatus includes means for cooling the extrudate to solidify it into a usable condition. Means are provided to cause the multi-wall pipe to have a helical configuration, that is, apparatus is provided that arranges the pipe as a whole into a structure that has a circumferential component and a longitudinal component to its orientation; e.g. a helix. The longitudinal orientation is accomplished by providing apparatus that causes the pipe to proceed downstream in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In one embodiment of this invention, the extrudate is pulled longitudinally down stream.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (see FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: A method of making a composite tubular article made up of at least two concentric members, the outer of said members being tubular and the inner of said members being at least cylindrical and preferably tubular, and struts disposed in supporting and positioning orientation between the inner and outer members, by extruding a moldable material into the desired profile; stretching the inner tubular member over a cooling mandrel and disposing a cooling sleeve over the outer tubular member under conditions sufficient to solidify the article; twisting and longitudinally pulling the solidified article, so that it rotates over the cooling mandrel and inside the cooling sleeve while it is moving down stream across the cooling mandrel, whereby causing the extrudate to be twisted into a helical shape.

Abstract: A zipper profile for a fastener assembly is provided. The profile includes a male element and a female element. The female element has a pair of jaws that are movable with respect to one another about a common fulcrum region, and a pair of arms each of which are coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of jaws at the fulcrum region. Each of the arms has an end opposite from the fulcrum region that is shaped for engagement with a slider, and the jaws have an open position and a closed position. The arms are disposed to cause movement of the jaws between the closed position and the open position when the arms experience displacement about the fulcrum region. Displacement about the fulcrum region may be effectuated by motion of a slider relative to the arms. The male element is captured by the female element when the jaws are in the closed position and released when the jaws are in the open position.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (see FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: A zipper profile for a fastener assembly is provided. The profile includes a male element and a female element. The female element has a pair of jaws that are movable with respect to one another about a common fulcrum region, and a pair of arms each of which are coupled to a corresponding one of the pair of jaws at the fulcrum region. Each of the arms has an end opposite from the fulcrum region that is shaped for engagement with a slider, and the jaws have an open position and a closed position. The arms are disposed to cause movement of the jaws between the closed position and the open position when the arms experience displacement about the fulcrum region. Displacement about the fulcrum region may be effectuated by motion of a slider relative to the arms. The male element is captured by the female element when the jaws are in the closed position and released when the jaws are in the open position.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: A feedblock for coextrusion apparatus permits profile adjustment of individual layers through the use of flow tuning valves that extend across the width of a main flow through the feedblock.

Abstract: A plastic clip is located at each end of a plastic zipper of a thermoplastic bag and fused with the ends of the profile elements of the zipper into a single mass by melting the clip to the zipper material.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag having a zipper that is operated by a slider is provided with end termination clips that firmly holds the two zipper elements together to resist stresses applied by normal use and also stops the slider from going off past the end of the zipper. The end termination clip is formed by clamps consisting of plastic members between which are sandwiched the zipper and fin and wherein the clamping members are held together by a plastic rivet through the film. In one embodiment the end termination clips include hook structure for engaging a detent in the slider which provides the bag user with the feel of a definite parking position for the slider when the bag is closed.

Abstract: In the manufacture of thermoplastic film zipper bags and the like heat sealing the film to the zipper produces a seal line that shrinks, resulting in unsightly apearance. A system and method are disclosed for restoring the shrunk seal line to its orginal length by corrugating and stretching it between mating teeth. A method is also disclosed for restretching the seal without corrugation.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag having a zipper that is operated by a slider is provided with end stops that are integral with the ends of the zipper and prevent the slider from going off past the end of the zipper and coming off the bag. There is also disclosed a method for forming these end stops by ultrasonically smashing the ends of the zipper.

Abstract: A method for continuously controlling the pressure in a bubble formed of a continuously extruded seamless blown thermoplastic film tubing which is being conducted generally upwardly through a cooling water bath. More particularly, the method contemplates controlling the internal bubble pressure through the intermediary of a Photohelic pressure controller which is utilized to monitor the differential prevailing between the internal bubble pressure and that of the water bath encompassing the bubble. The invention also relates to an apparatus for controlling the internal pressure of a bubble constituted from a seamless blown thermoplastic film which is extruded and conducted through an external cooling water bath, employing the method pursuant to the invention.

Abstract: A plastic reclosable fastener with slider for opening and closing the reclosable fastener on plastic bags and the like is disclosed. The plastic reclosable fastener and slider include a provision for restraining the slider in closed position and maintaining the male and female elements of the slider in interlocking relation when the slider reaches the closed end of its travel along the tracks of the slider.

Abstract: A one-piece foldable plastic zipper slider for straddling relation with a profiled plastic reclosable fastener. The plastic zipper slider has hinged wings that are latched in place by a latch tongue which is deflected downward to snap in place and then cannot be re-opened because subsequent forces act in such a direction to engage it more strongly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming one or more pleats in a continuously advancing sheet of indeterminate length are provided. The apparatus includes a first roll, over which the sheet passes while a streak of adhesive is laid upon a selected strip of the sheet, and a composite roll, to which the sheet passes as a reach under selectively varied tension. The composite roll includes a parallel roll and an inclined roll which is inclined at a pleat angle to the parallel roll and is driven by rolling contact with the parallel roll while passing through a pinch zone at the apex of the pleat angle which is 0.25.degree. to 5.degree., preferably about 1.5.degree.. The periphery of the inclined roll may vary from a right circular cylinder to a right circular cone with its peripheral surface at a bevel angle to the circular side thereof. The bevel angle is preferably one half of the pleat angle.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.