Abstract: The present teachings provide a system and method for producing a cylindrical foam article. The method can include coupling a first end of an outlet adaptor to a die, and coupling the die to a die housing of an extruder. The method can also include coupling a substantially cylindrical die outlet to a second end of the outlet adaptor, and substantially continuously extruding a polymer through the outlet adaptor into the die outlet to create the cylindrical foam article with a natural skin formed about a perimeter of the cylindrical foam article.

Abstract: An insulated assembly, including a pipe and a substantially rigid insulation board, is provided. The pipe includes a cylindrical outer surface defining a first diameter. The insulation board is disposed around the outer surface of the pipe and includes an inner surface defining a second diameter. The second diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter. The inner surface includes a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of grooves includes first and second opposed sidewalls. The insulation board includes a material having a compressive strength and a flexural strength, the compressive strength includes a value between fifteen pounds per square inch and one hundred pounds per square inch, and the flexural strength includes a value between forty pounds per square inch and one hundred pounds per square inch.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a system and method for producing a cylindrical foam article. The method can include coupling a first end of an outlet adaptor to a die, and coupling the die to a die housing of an extruder. The method can also include coupling a substantially cylindrical die outlet to a second end of the outlet adaptor, and substantially continuously extruding a polymer through the outlet adaptor into the die outlet to create the cylindrical foam article with a natural skin formed about a perimeter of the cylindrical foam article.

Abstract: An insulated assembly, including a pipe and a substantially rigid insulation board, is provided. The pipe includes a cylindrical outer surface defining a first diameter. The insulation board is disposed around the outer surface of the pipe and includes an inner surface defining a second diameter. The second diameter is substantially equal to the first diameter. The inner surface includes a plurality of grooves. Each of the plurality of grooves includes first and second opposed sidewalls. The insulation board includes a material having a compressive strength and a flexural strength, the compressive strength includes a value between fifteen pounds per square inch and one hundred pounds per square inch, and the flexural strength includes a value between forty pounds per square inch and one hundred pounds per square inch.

Abstract: A system may include a die, an outlet adaptor and a die outlet. The die may include a die flow channel extending from a first end to a second end of the die and coupled to a die housing of an extruder. The outlet adaptor is receivable within the die flow channel and includes first and second ends and an outlet flow channel. The first end of the outlet adaptor cooperates with the die flow channel at the second end of the die to retain the outlet adaptor. A diameter of the outlet flow channel expands at the second end of the outlet adaptor to create a pressure drop to form the foamed article. The die outlet assembly is coupled to the outlet adaptor and includes a bore that receives a polymer from the outlet adaptor. The die outlet assembly produces a cylindrical foam article having a natural skin.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a system and method for producing a cylindrical foam article. The method can include coupling a first end of an outlet adaptor to a die, and coupling the die to a die housing of an extruder. The method can also include coupling a substantially cylindrical die outlet to a second end of the outlet adaptor, and substantially continuously extruding a polymer through the outlet adaptor into the die outlet to create the cylindrical foam article with a natural skin formed about a perimeter of the cylindrical foam article.

Abstract: A moving bed system for removing contaminates from a fluid stream is provided. The system can include a housing and a first bed system disposed in the housing. The first bed system can be coupled to the housing, and can include at least one flow channel adapted to enable an adsorbent material to flow through the first bed system. The system can include a second bed system disposed in the housing, which can include at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the first bed system to receive the adsorbent material from the first bed system. The channel of the second bed system can be symmetrical to the flow channel of the first bed system about a horizontal axis. The first bed system and the second bed system can direct a contaminated fluid stream into contact with the adsorbent material to remove the contaminates from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A solid state foaming process permits the use of up to 100% recycled pre- and post-consumer polymer for the manufacture of foamed polymer material and thermoformed foamed polymer articles. The process enables the optional formation of integral unfoamed skins of controllable depth and crystallinity on foamed polymeric materials suitable for a wide variety of applications. Because this process does not alter the underlying chemistry of the material all scrap from the manufacturing process may be reused without additive to form new foamed polymeric materials and articles.

Abstract: A moving bed system for removing contaminates from a fluid stream is provided. The system can include a housing and a first bed system disposed in the housing. The first bed system can be coupled to the housing, and can include at least one flow channel adapted to enable an adsorbent material to flow through the first bed system. The system can include a second bed system disposed in the housing, which can include at least one flow channel in fluid communication with the first bed system to receive the adsorbent material from the first bed system. The channel of the second bed system can be symmetrical to the flow channel of the first bed system about a horizontal axis. The first bed system and the second bed system can direct a contaminated fluid stream into contact with the adsorbent material to remove the contaminates from the fluid stream.

Abstract: A solid state foaming process permits the use of up to 100% recycled pre- and post-consumer polymer for the manufacture of foamed polymer material and thermoformed foamed polymer articles. The process enables the optional formation of integral unfoamed skins of controllable depth and crystallinity on foamed polymeric materails suitable for a wide variety of applications. Because this process does not alter the underlying chemistry of the material all scrap from the manufacturing process may be reused without additive to form new foamed polymeric materials and articles.

Abstract: A solid state process utilizes gas impregnation to enhance thermoforming of thermoplastic material. If the gas is plasticizing, the article is thereby plasticized for thermoforming. In some embodiments, the invention provides foaming the polymer prior to or during thermoforming by creating high levels of dissolved gas during gas exposure. Foaming may proceed spontaneously upon decompression from gas pressure, or foaming may be enhanced by heating the polymer sheet near to or above the polymer's glass transition temperature, thereby producing plasticized foamed polymer for thermoforming. When objects of unfoamed polymer are desired, foaming may be suppressed by thermoforming gas saturated articles under gas pressure. This process may be used to enhance the thermoforming performance of articles that have been previously foamed, including articles foamed by prior art processes. In some embodiments, polymer is sufficiently plasticized so that it may be thermoformed without heating.

Abstract: Affix a membrane roof cover structure, comprising a polyester foam layer and a new membrane layer, over a roof deck structure such that the polyester foam layer is between the roof deck structure and the new membrane layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved built-up roof system comprising an insulation layer, a coverboard layer, and a waterproofing membrane layer, wherein the coverboard layer comprises polyester foam.

Abstract: Affix a membrane roof cover structure, comprising a polyester foam layer and a new membrane layer, over a roof deck structure such that the polyester foam layer is between the roof deck structure and the new membrane layer.