Abstract: Polymer compositions having improved resistance to thermoforming sag are disclosed. The compositions comprise a first and second portion selected from the group comprising polypropylene, propylene-ethylene copolymers and mixtures thereof wherein a first portion of the composition is (1) mixed with from about 500 to about 3000 ppm of antioxidant; and (2) irradiated with a dosage of from about 10 to about 20 Mrads gamma or electron beam of ionizing radiation in air, and the second portion of said polymer composition is non-irradiated. The first portion is present in an amount effective, from about 1.0% to about 10.0%, to increase the elasticity of the polymer composition in the molten state by at least 10% as compared to the second portion of said polymer composition.

Abstract: Improved resin compositions for use in multiple cavity stretch blow molding processes comprising: (a) a propyleneethylene copolymer resin including from about 5% to about 15% of a second stage polymer characterized by a cycle time of T.sub.1, when used to produce containers in multiple cavity stretch blow molding processes; (b) from about 0.1% to about 1.0% of a nucleating agent prepared by irradiating in air a mixture of a propylene homo or copolymer and about 500 to about 3000 ppm of antioxidant with a sufficient amount of ionizing radiation to cause said nucleating agent to have a xylene insoluble content of at least 30%. The improved resin composition is characterized by a cycle time of T.sub.2 when used to produce containers in multiple cavity stretch blow molding processes such that the ratio of T.sub.2 /T.sub.1 is less than 0.95.

Abstract: A die head is disclosed for use on an extruder die in which a plate-like structure having an elongated slot through which extrudate is extruded. the slot has a central area which is narrower than the height at each end of the elongated slot. The elongated slot also is arcute in shape, and the central area to each end portion is a mirror image of one another. The die head produces an extrudate which is uniform in thickness throughout a cross-section taken normal to the direction of extrusion, but the extrudate is bowed or arcuate in shape. The combination of a metallic shell and a flexible arcuate magnetic material is also disclosed in which the extruded flexible magnetic strip material is curled within the cylindrical shell such that both the peripheral exterior surface and the peripheral interior surface of the flexible magnetic material is flat in axial cross-section.

Abstract: An awning particularly suited for use with recreational vehicles is constructed with a main awning portion made of a conventional awning material and a terminal portion which serves as a cover for the main awning portion when the awning is rolled on a wind-up core for storage. The terminal cover portion is a trilaminate consisting of two layers of flexible thermoplastic material with a dimensionally stable scrim layer interposed between the two thermoplastic layers.