Abstract: A synthetic mineral paper as substitute to cellulosic paper and a process for producing the same are provided.

Abstract: A computer implemented knowledge-based system for the selection of materials and/or fabrication processes for a durable goods application. The system consists of a graphical user interface, an expert system shell and a models and data base program. The system provides rapid, consistent and accurate techno-economic comparisons of processes and materials to select the best materials and fabrication processes for the durable goods application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making multilayer plastic articles. Initially, two or more streams of diverse thermoplastic materials are provided. Layers are formed from these streams and are arranged in a layered first composite stream. The first composite stream may be directly formed into a desired configuration by a molding process or may be manipulated to form a second composite stream having an increased number of layers before being formed into the desired configuration. The resulting articles are comprised of a number of discrete and substantially continuous layers.

Abstract: A blow molded multilayer plastic article having a large number of layers is formed. First and second diverse thermoplastic streams are extruded into a coextrusion feedblock. In the feedblock the streams are divided into multiple streams and arranged into a first composite stream having a substantially uniform distribution of the layers. The first stream is fed into an interfacial surface generator in which the stream is manipulated to form a second composite stream having even more layers of substantially uniform thickness. This second stream is then formed into a preform such as by injection molding and this preform is blow molded. The second composite stream and preform are formed so that the layers of first and second materials lie generally parallel to a critical surface and possess substantial uniformity when blow molded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making multilayer plastic articles. Initially, two or more streams diverse thermoplastic materials are provided. Layers are foraged from these streams and are arranged in a layered first composite stream. The first composite stream may be directly formed into a desired configuration by a molding process or may be manipulated to form a second composite stream having an increased number of layers before being formed into the desired configuration. The resulting articles are comprised of a number of discrete and substantially continuous layers.

Abstract: A method of making a multilayer plastic article by forming a multilayer stream of diverse thermoplastic materials and injection molding the multilayer stream directly into the article. The multilayer stream can be formed by coextrusion of the materials or by coextrusion followed by layer multiplication in one or more interfacial surface generators/static mixers. The coextruded stream, or a multiplied stream from the one or more ISG's, can also be divided into substreams and the substreams thereafter recombined prior to being injection molded so that the layers in one such substream are angularly oriented with respect to the layers in another substream.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating interfacial surfaces in a fluid mass which:(a) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, expand and contract the branch streams in a symmetrical fashion, and recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass; or(b) divide a first stream of the fluid mass into a plurality of branch streams, redirect or reposition the branch streams, recombine the branch streams to form a second stream of the fluid mass, and expand and contract the second stream in a symmetrical fashion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for making multilayer film having a prescribed gradient in, or distribution of, the thicknesses of one or more materials through the thickness of the film.