Abstract: A method of preparing an electrostatic dissipative composition that includes combining a conductive polymer; a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent to form a fluidized dispersion, and providing the fluidized dispersion with a pH of about 7 to 9 to form the electrostatic discharge composition.

Abstract: A continuous process for incorporating a thermally sensitive additive into a polymer melt of virgin polymer at a temperature at least 10° C. below a temperature at which the virgin polymer is typically processed. The virgin polymer is first processed in an apparatus which extensively shear-thins the polymer until its normally entangled molecules are substantially disentangled. This is preferably done in a TekFlow® processor. The additive is then added to the resulting modified melt which is then processed in a high-shear apparatus, e.g. a co-rotating, twin-screw extruder, but more preferably in a second TekFlow® processor. This novel process allows making concentrates having a level of additive which could not be made to date and yet have the additive substantially uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 5,000, and preferably in excess of 40,000, comprises, producing a polymerized reaction mass in which the polymer is dispersed, the reaction mass including solvent(s), unreacted monomer and other unwanted contaminants; feeding the reaction mass to a means for disentangling the polymer's molecules to produce a modified polymer in the reaction mass; feeding the modified polymer in the reaction mass to a polymer-recovering means; removing the unwanted volatiles and other byproducts; and, recovering a high molecular weight substantially pure modified polymer having substantially the same molecular weight as the polymer fed to the disentangling means and a viscosity at least 10% lower than that of the polymer fed to the disentangling means.

Abstract: A method for controlling the viscoelastic properties of a polymer comprising the steps of feeding a polymer melt into a first and optional subsequent means for applying a strain rate, each means for applying a strain rate being underfed or overfed according to the relative volumetric flow rates into the out of each means for applying a strain rate. The method further comprises subjecting the polymer melt in the means for applying a strain rate to a total shear rate that comprises contributions selected from the group consisting of pressure flow through an orifice, rotational flow about an axis that is parallel to the direction of flow of the melt, vibration in the transverse or longitudinal direction relative to the flow direction of the melt, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a polymer having a molecular weight in excess of 5,000, and preferably in excess of 40,000, comprises, producing a polymerized reaction mass in which the polymer is dispersed, the reaction mass including solvent(s), unreacted monomer and other unwanted contaminants; feeding the reaction mass to a means for disentangling the polymer's molecules to produce a modified polymer in the reaction mass; feeding the modified polymer in the reaction mass to a polymer-recovering means; removing the unwanted volatiles and other byproducts; and, recovering a high molecular weight substantially pure modified polymer having substantially the same molecular weight as the polymer fed to the disentangling means and a viscosity at least 10% lower than that of the polymer fed to the disentangling means.

Abstract: A method for controlling the molecular weight and other properties of a polymer by permeating it with a small molecule while the polymer is in the solid state and optionally subjecting the polymer plus permeant blend to a melt processing operation. The polymer is optionally in a molecularly disentangled state.

Abstract: A continuous process for incorporating a thermally sensitive additive into a polymer melt of virgin polymer at a temperature at least 10° C. below a temperature at which the virgin polymer is typically processed. The virgin polymer is first processed in an apparatus which extensively shear-thins the polymer until its normally entangled molecules are substantially disentangled. This is preferably done in a TekFlow® processor. The additive is then added to the resulting modified melt which is then processed in a high-shear apparatus, e.g. a co-rotating, twin-screw extruder, but more preferably in a second TekFlow® processor. This novel process allows making concentrates having a level of additive which could not be made to date and yet have the additive substantially uniformly dispersed.

Abstract: First and second virgin polymers, not normally miscible when combined in one or more conventional melt-processing means, are combined in a known melt-processing means having mechanical vibration, referred to as a TekFlow® “processor” in which the polymers are extensively shear-thinned, substantially disentangled and stress-fatigued. A process in which melts of each virgin polymer are separately modified, mixed and melt-processed in a conventional extruder, is also effective if the melt of one polymer, modified in a processor, is mixed with virgin melt before being modified in another processor. In each embodiment, the resulting blend is unexpectedly found to be a single phase, that is, a miscible blend.

Abstract: A method of preparing an electrostatic dissipative composition that includes combining a conductive polymer; a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent to form a fluidized dispersion, and providing the fluidized dispersion with a pH of about 7 to 9 to form the electrostatic discharge composition.

Abstract: A method of preparing an article using an electrostatic dissipative composition prepared by combining a conductive polymer, and a crosslinking agent to form a fluidized dispersion, and providing the fluidized dispersion with a pH of about 7 to 9.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously reducing the viscosity of molten moldable polymeric material uses shear vibration under extensional flow to cause disentanglement. One or more station treatment cavities are defined by a gap composed of two closely separated surfaces in relative motion with each other at given speed and/or submitted to relative oscillations, with given frequency and amplitude to produce a shear deformation on the molten moldable material and a controlled variation of the gap dimension. The surface have a contour profile of ribs and/or bumps and/or grooves over which the molten moldable material can flow and/or can be dragged and/or is being pushed through and/or pumped through. The treatment cavities have an inlet through which the molten moldable material can pass into, and an outlet through which it can exit each treatment cavity.

Abstract: A method for controlling the viscosity of molten polymers, such as polycarbonate, takes place prior to a molding operation such as injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming or blow molding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method includes a mold which defines a mold cavity with an inlet through which a molten, moldable material can pass into and/or through the mold cavity. A feeder for preparing the molten, moldable material, is spaced from the mold and expels the material to the mold cavity or to an accumulator connected to the mold cavity. A mechanism for controlling the temperature of the material in the feeder, accumulator, and the mold, as well as at least one gas injection unit with controls for the gas before, during and after its injection into the mold cavity and/or into gas channels located within and/or around the mold cavity are provided. A closed loop regulating system easily adjusts and regulates the gas flow and monitors the average gas pressure of the injected gas according to a programmed conditioning signal. The gas injection unit has relief valves and gas tanks.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping deformable materials during molding processes. Such an apparatus includes, among other things, a vibrating wall assembly. The vibrating wall assembly fits the contours of at least a portion of a mold's cavity. The vibrating wall assembly includes a pliable wall positioned within the mold. The pliable wall is positioned such that its outside wall surface is adjacent to a portion of the mold's inside wall surface; and its inside wall surface defines a portion of the geometric configuration of the material passing thereover. The pliable wall is designed to deform from its original shape when a positive or negative pressure is exerted on its inside or outside wall surface. This positive and/or negative pressure is generated, at least in part, by the displacement of a displaceable fluid. This fluid is contained within a chamber. The chamber is in communication with a portion of the pliable wall's outside wall surface.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an apparatus and method of using the same. This apparatus includes a mold defining a mold cavity and an inlet through which molten material can pass. Also included is at least one feeder for preparing a molten material. This feeder has an outlet through which molten material can pass. There is also at least one accumulator spaced from the feeder and the mold. This accumulator has an inlet through which molten material can enter, and an outlet through which molten material pass. The accumulator also is designed such that it can introduce a molten material through its outlet into the mold cavity and exert a shear stress, compressive force or stress tensor on the molten material contained within the accumulator and/or within the mold cavity. The apparatus also includes a flow control mechanism is designed to prevent the flow of molten material from the accumulator back into the feeder.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for exerting a stress tensor on moldable material in a mold cavity. The method involves the steps of feeding a moldable material from a feeder to an accumulator. The material is preferably melted prior to accumulation within the accumulator so as to form a material flow. After at least a portion of the accumulator is filled, an oscillatory force is applied on the molten material in accordance with a predetermined program. A predetermined amount of material is then fed from the accumulator to a mold cavity through a mold inlet. The temperature of the mold is controlled in accordance with a predetermined program while an oscillatory force is applied to the material. The solidified article is then removed from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for shaping deformable materials during molding processes. Such an apparatus includes, among other things, a vibrating wall assembly. The vibrating wall assembly fits the contours of at least a portion of a mold's cavity. The vibrating wall assembly includes a pliable wall positioned within the mold. The pliable wall is positioned such that its outside wall surface is adjacent to a portion of the mold's inside wall surface; and its inside wall surface defines a portion of the geometric configuration of the material passing thereover. The pliable wall is designed to deform from its original shape when a positive or negative pressure is exerted on its inside or outside wall surface. This positive and/or negative pressure is generated, at least in part, by the displacement of a displaceable fluid. This fluid is contained within a chamber. The chamber is in communication with a portion of the pliable wall's outside wall surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which is designed to employ thermal stimulated processes for analyzing relaxation spectra and resonances in materials. The invention is characterized in that at least two coupled excitation fields are applied to the sample of material analyzed along with a programmed temperature variation, to deconvolute during the thermally stimulated recovery stage the global deformation resulting from the excitation stage. In other words, this invention is designed to obtain one by one the individual and elementary relaxation motions responsible for the global deformation, whether these elementary internal motions have a mechanical, electrical or magnetic origin. Moreover, the relaxation spectra for the motions resulting from the coupling between mechanical, electrical and/or electromagnetical excitations are obtained at the same time and are interrelated.

Abstract: A moldable material, which either has dipoles or other charged particles therein, or is susceptible to their creation, is introduced into a mold or is passed through a die. The material is then subjected to a polarization medium until either at least some of the dipoles or other charged particles are oriented in the direction of the polarization medium, or until at least some dipoles or other charged particles are created thereby. Thereafter, the material is permitted to cool. Once cooled, the molded material is separated from the mold or die. The effect of polarizing the moldable material is then analyzed by permitting an at least partial relaxation of the dipoles or other charges therein which were polarized or created. This relaxation results in a measurable current which is related to the actual temperature of the material at the time the polarization medium was applied.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping, and/or directing the flow of deformable materials, wherein the apparatus includes a novel vibrating wall assembly having at least one surface which defines a specific geometric shape over which the deformable material will pass. The novel vibrating wall assembly of this present invention includes the following components: (a) a plurality of pulsating, polygonally-shaped surface elements which are movable between a resting position and an energized position; (b) an energizing device for moving at least one of the plurality of pulsating surface elements from its resting position to its energized position, to form an energized surface element; (c) a biasing device for moving the energized surface element from its energized position back to its resting position; and (d) a linking device for interconnecting the plurality of pulsating surface elements, wherein the linking device allows for the limited pulsating movement of the plurality of pulsating surface elements.