Abstract: The present invention includes processes for making fibers, which processes include an extrusion step wherein molten polymers are extruded through an extrusion die, thereby forming at least one extruded filament; and an orientation step, wherein the filament is drawn to align the molecules of the filament, and wherein multivariate data analysis techniques are used to analyze data regarding various process variables and, optionally, process variables are adjusted in response to the multivariate data analysis.

Abstract: Biodegradable, recessed molded receptacles (18) are produced by baking a baking composition between upper and lower baking molds (22, 24) in one baking operation to form a plurality of molded receptacles (18) in a coherent sheet structure (12) having an unbroken surface and containing the molded receptacles (18) which are subsequently separated from the sheet structure (12).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming patterns in a flat, plastic material, such as, for example sheet vinyl, linoleum, and other flat sheet floor covering. The apparatus comprises a router die and trimmer base affixed to a router machine. The router die is comprised of two guiding members, a first guiding member that directs the router blade between an edge of a pattern and an edge of an overlay. A second guiding member follows the blade after the groove is cut.

Abstract: Anti-microbial activity is permanently applied to the surfaces of polyolefin objects by incorporating anti-microbial metals and metal salts into the surfaces. This is achieved by coating the selected surface of a preformed polyolefin part with the anti-microbial composition of this invention and then heating the surface of the object to fuse the coating into the polyolefin wall. Alternatively, the composition can be applied to the interior surface of a manufacturing mold at the start of the molding cycle from where it is incorporated into the wall of the molded object during its manufacture. The antimicrobial composition comprises from 0.5 to 5 weight percent of an anti-microbial additive in a hydrocarbon resin or polyolefin having a low melt index. This composition can be diluted with an organic or aqueous carrier for ease of application.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the combined use of a dispersant as an internal melt additive and a surfactant as an outer topical additive to impart or improve the wettability of extruded thermoplastic constructs. A dispersant is provided to, and blended with, a thermoplastic polymer which is then formed into a thermoplastic construct. A surfactant is then applied to the thermoplastic construct to impart or improve the wettability of the thermoplastic construct.

Abstract: For forming a preform of composite material, such as aluminum-based composite material (MMC) by using friction during the forming thereof, ceramic reinforcement, such as Al2O3 and binder are prepared, and the prepared reinforcement and the silanor group binder are put into a die for press forming. During the forming, polycondensation occurs due to frictional heat generated between the fibrous or grain-like particles of the reinforcement and the silanor group binder to harden it, thereby obtaining a preform in which the particles of the reinforcement are fixedly connected to one another.

Abstract: Described is a thermoplastic resin film having on a surface thereof a hydroxy-modified imine polymer containing repeating units represented by the following general formula (I) in an amount of 5 mol % or more based on the total of repeating units.

Abstract: The cabinetry of the present invention facilitates lower manufacturing costs, lighter products that are easier to maneuver and less costly to transport, and simpler product assembly by reducing the number parts to be assembled, while maintaining the structural integrity of the cabinetry. The PTV cabinetry of the present invention utilizes molded plastic foam parts formed from expanded polystyrene or phenolic foam. The foam parts are preferably functionally designed to replace the equivalent parts presently being made by wood fabrication or other molded plastic techniques. In a preferred embodiment, a PTV cabinet may be assembled from thee matching molded foam parts. The foam parts in accordance with the present invention may be uniquely located with respect to one another via locating features molded into the foam parts. Once assembled, an external cabinet or cosmetic fascia part may be placed over the foam parts.

Abstract: A method of tempering composite fiber panels eliminates a need for a bake oven during the tempering step. Both the front and back surfaces of the panels are sprayed with a tempering oil including a mixture of a drying oil and a dryer or catalyst. The drying oil may include a linseed oil refined to minimize low molecular weight and a conjugated oil. Sometimes the drying oil is further mixed with either a conjugated oil, a catalyst, a low molecular weight isocyanate resin (Imw-MDI) or another additive. The sprayed panels are stacked preferably in face-to-face contact inside a curing chamber heated only by the residual heat in the hot panels. A number of additives to the tempering oil are considered. A number of different forms of commercial panels are considered, such as: hardboard, oriented strandboard, fiber board siding, wafer board, medium density fiber board, particle board, and other similar boards.

Abstract: A process for the production of coated planar moldings of thermoplastics is disclosed. The process entails extrusion of a molded body, cooling of the molding, applying the aqueous-based coating agent and drying. The coating agent, having a pH value of less than 6, contains a salt of sulfondicarboxylic diester, a water-insoluble oxide of metal or semi-metal and an acid/water mixture. It is applied to at least one surface of the molding immediately after the production of the molding and with the aid of an application roll.

Abstract: A method is provided for making ligneous material boards into an endless board strand with a continuously operating press. The press includes two flexible endless steel belts which take the press material between them and carry it through the press. The steel belts thrust with friction-reducing elements against heated press plates of the press table and press ram and a cooling system that follows. The cooling system is configured as a double-belt holding apparatus with an applicable holding pressure up to a maximum of 0 to 0.05 N/mm2. A diagonal sawing apparatus, which is disposed directly behind the continuously operating press and ahead of the cooling system, divides the board strand into single boards. Several rows of coolant spray nozzles disposed on the backs of the holding belts making contact with the single boards.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for simulating a mould-imparted texture including applying a textured skin to a moulding from a pre-textured mould.

Abstract: The apparatus for treating the inside surface of a bottle (1) in a plasma enhanced process comprises a vacuum chamber (2), a microwave confinement (3) with a microwave generator (4), evacuation means and gas feed means (5). The microwave confinement (3) is substantially cylindrical and adapted to the shape of at least the body portion of the bottle (1) to be treated as closely as possible. The microwaves are coupled into the microwave confinement (3) form the bottom side of the bottle (1) and the microwave confinement is excited in a TM mode of resonance. The inventive apparatus is very compact and very simple. It can be integrated into a stretch-blow-moulding apparatus or into a filling apparatus. For upscaling, a plurality of one-bottle apparatuses is arranged in a row or in a matrix and all the one-bottle apparatuses are connected to a net of energy, vacuum and gas supply lines.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite molded product is disclosed, so as to improve the adhesion between the insert material and the base resin. The method comprises the steps of coating an insert material with primer; coating surface of the primer with dope cement; and subjecting the insert material coated with the dope cement to insert molding. The adhesion between the insert material and the base resin is superior; thus, substandard products having a portion which breaks away or protrudes are hardly generated. In addition, a surface material in which the insert material is coated with the dope cement has a very small degree of camber; thus, punching or the like for shaping the surface material can be easily performed after the coating.

Abstract: A method of applying a decorative color to a thermoplastic strip suited for use to produce slats for blinds is characterized by the use of a heat sensitive printing paper of the type normally used to color the fabric material from which valances are generally made. By using that type of color transferring medium to color the thermoplastic slats it becomes possible, for instance, to manufacture blind slats having the same color as the fabric valance to be hung decoratively from the window for which the blind is to be installed. There is also disclosed a blind structure for attenuating the flapping noise produced when the slats enter in contact with each other.

Abstract: A vial pack cover, a vial pack kit, and a method for forming the vial pack cover is provided. The vial pack cover can simultaneously cover a plurality of containers while preventing the contents of the containers from degrading or permeating through the cover. In addition, the vial pack cover allows a user to access individual containers without having to remove the cover from the un-accessed containers. The vial pack cover generally includes: (1) a plurality of plug portions joined together and formed from a heat curable rubber; and (2) a barrier layer covering each of the plug portions.

Abstract: A method of making a piece of plastic that is painted. The method consists in depositing a “peel-off” film inside a mold defining the shape of the piece, which film is suitable for being separated easily from the support to which it is fixed, in making the piece by molding over the film, in painting the piece in full, and in removing the film so as to uncover the non-painted portion of the piece.

Abstract: A decorative liner for a pool assembly including a liner configured for being positioned in a pool, pond, or fountain, one or more display surfaces on the liner, and one or more distinct raised portions formed in the shape of one or more tiles on the one or more display surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an embossing roll for embossing running webs of material and a method of making that roll. More particularly, the present invention is an embossing roll of a hard elastomer surface that can be engraved and subsequently plated to form a protective wear-resistant surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing plastic film having a predefinable outline and/or even or uneven thickness, by machining preformed plastic film for separation and/or ablation. The method is used especially for producing flexible flaps for artificial heart valves. To produce a film having local variations in thickness and smooth edges where the piece of film has been cut, the invention provides for the plastic film to be separated and/or for specific areas to be ablated to the desired thickness by means of a laser beam.

Abstract: This invention provides a pitch fiber bundle for carbon fibers of small size, a carbon fiber bundle, and a method for the production thereof, i.e. a method for the production of carbon fibers of a small size, a pitch fiber bundle, and a carbon fiber bundle at a lower cost with higher productivity than usual. The method for the production of pitch type carbon fibers according to this invention comprises dividing a plurality of pitch fibers into not less than two bundles, intertwining the bundles by exposure to currents of air thereby forming a first fiber bundle, binding a plurality of such first fiber bundles, and again intertwining the bound pitch fiber bundles by exposure to currents of air thereby forming a second fiber bundle.

Abstract: Disclosed here within is the method of manufacture of a reinforced and flexible tube or catheter that can be used in a variety of applications. The first method of embedding the metallic coil or braided wire comprises the steps of engaging the metallic structure over the outer surface of the tubular member, applying heat through an appropriately sized mold to the outer surface of the tubular member while creating a pressure differential between the inner lumen and the outside surface of the tubular member for a specified period of time.

Abstract: Hollow fibers having an internal diameter from 1 nm to 100 nm can be produced by coating degradable materials with nondegradable materials and then degrading the degradable materials. The hollow fibers are useful in separation technology, catalysis, microelectronics, medical technology, materials technology or the clothing industry.

Abstract: An method for producing a material useful for forming a component for an electrochemical fuel cell is provided. More particularly, the component is formed of a sheet of a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles. The component is treated with a water resistant additive sufficient to provide utility as a component in an electrochemical fuel cell. Preferably, the water resistant additive is a fluoropolymer material. More preferably, the water resistant additive is a polytetrafluoroethylene material. The treatment preferably occurs by coating and/or impregnating the water resistant material in the sheet of graphite particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making biodegradable films and biodegradable precursor films having enhanced breathability and ductility. The method includes blending a water soluble polymer and a biodegradable polymer to form a blended polymer mixture. The biodegradable polymer is preferably a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, and the water-soluble polymer is preferably polyethylene oxide and/or polyethylene glycol. The blended polymer mixture is formed into a precursor film. The precursor film is further processed to form a breathable biodegradable film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating imitative stone furniture mainly utilizes non-stone raw materials to fabricate and form substrates of various shapes desired, then evenly cover the surfaces of the substrates with a coating material, then dry and cure the coating material until the coating material solidified to form an imitative stone layer on the surfaces of the substrates. The resulting substrates may be used to fabricate various types of furniture such as tables and chairs.

Abstract: Data defining an outline shape of a section, color-region image data and adhesion-region image data are generated, color toners are transferred onto a color region and an adhesion region on a sheet in accordance with the respective image data, the sheet is aligned on processed sheets and laminated thereon. Next, a laminated body of the sheets is bonded by heating and pressurizing, and the laminated and bonded sheets are cut along the sectional outline shape. Further, sectional shape data of a solid model are generated and a transparent toner is transferred as an adhesive onto the adhesion region of the sheet. Then, after aligning and laminating the sheet on the processed sheets, the transparent toner is melted to bond the sheets. Color toners are transferred onto the color region of the sheet and the sheet is cut along the outline shape. Furthermore, the color region is defined on a transparent sheet in accordance with the sectional shape of the solid model.

Abstract: This invention relates to articles made of polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET), having coated directly to at least one of the surfaces thereof one or more layers of thermoplastic material with good gas-barrier characteristics, and novel methods of making such articles. Preferably the barrier-coated articles take the form of preforms coated by at least one layer of barrier material and the containers blow-molded therefrom. Such barrier-coated containers are preferably of the type to hold beverages such as soft drinks, beer or juice. The preferred barrier materials have a lower permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide than PET as well as key physical properties similar to PET. The materials and methods provide that the barrier layers have good adherence to PET, even during and after the blow molding process to form containers from preforms. Preferred barrier coating materials include poly(hydroxyamino ethers).

Abstract: A process for producing a composite article from at least one polar thermoplastic, in particular an engineering thermoplastic, and from at least one foamed or unfoamed polyurethane elastomer, where a molding is firstly molded from the thermoplastic, and some or all of this is provided with an adhesion promoter based on acrylic-resin lacquer or polyurethane-resin lacquer comprising solvents, and then a coating which may be in full-surface or strip form or at least one other molding made from the polyurethane elastomer is used for overmolding, and the thermoplastic material is thus bonded to the polyurethane material.

Abstract: A pleated filter is provided with electrically conductive fibrous material that releases ions to improve trapping efficiency. The edges of folded filter media are rendered emitting as by attaching conductive strings to the edges of the folds. The ends of the fibers in the strings are left exposed and, by applying high voltage on these strings, ions may be produced which charge dust particles to improve the filter's efficiency. Alternately, the pleated medium itself provides ion-emitting fiber ends along folded edges that have been rendered conductive.

Abstract: This invention is an indica transfer and method for its use to impart indica to polyolefin objects during rotational molding. The transfer is a laminate of at least two coats on a carrier sheet, which is preferably a flexible, transparent polymer sheet. The coats, as successive layers on the carrier sheet are: an indica coat of indica material in a graphic or alphanumerical array and a top coat of a top-coat pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably the transfer also includes a backing coat of a backing-coat pressure sensitive adhesive between the carrier sheet and the indica coat, The pressure sensitive adhesive used for the top coat has a transition temperature less than the mold surface temperature onto which the transfer is applied to enable transfer of the coats to the interior surface of a rotational mold.

Abstract: A medical balloon, implantable in human tissue, of unitary silicone construction. The balloon is self-sealing upon removal of an inflation implement. The balloon device comprises a molded valve portion which is dip-coated in a silicone dispersion to create a balloon wall around and integral with the valve portion. Preferably, both the valve portion and the balloon wall are comprised of the same silicone material. The dipping process, combined with a vulcanizing process, creates a laminar wall which is strong and resistant to separation during inflation. The balloons may be used in for the treatement of urinary incontinence or vesicoureteral reflux, alternative procedures such as emboliztion or blocking of veins or arteries to accomplish the treatement of enlarged blood vessels in the brain or for treating severe uterine bleeding.

Abstract: A method for producing a substantially rod-shaped composite body (6) consists of a core (4) enveloped by at least one polymer, according to which the plasticized polymer (5) is extruded onto the core (4). At least one natural polymer is used and a sliding agent on the basis of native oils and/or waxes is added before or during extrusion. The method is used for the production of writing, drawing, cosmetic pencils.

Abstract: An elastic endless crawler according to the present invention comprises an annular belt-shaped elastic crawler body and a plurality of cords with ends, said cords being disposed substantially parallel with one another at predetermined intervals and embedded in the crawler body, wherein one end and the other end of each cord are overlapped, as seen from the belt side. Further, at at least one of a crawler inner peripheral side and a crawler outer peripheral side, there are provided a plurality of members for holding the cord ends within the crawler body. As a result, a chance of free ends of embedded steel cords protruding out from the rubber body during use of the rubber crawler and a chance of the rubber crawler running off of a unit for driving for rotation thereof can be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention revolutionizes a scale modelers ability to quickly and easily create realistic scale roads or paved surfaces by allowing the said user to create said road or road system in any size, shape or configuration. This work is to be performed on a work bench thus saving much back and muscle ache(s) from the necessity to lean over a layout or scale model scene to create a road or road system in place. The present invention will remain flexible in it's completed form allowing for placement onto varying ground elevations and hill grades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blow molded article with a smooth appearance and to the method of making the article. More particularly, the blow molding system of the present invention utilizes a thermal cycle to eliminate certain molding defects and a non-mirrored mold cavity surface to eliminate other molding defects. The thermal cycle sets the cavity temperature to a prescribed range to eliminate spot marks and line marks. The mold cavity surface has minute concavities/convexities and thereby produces an article with minute concavities/convexities such that when the article is painted, a smooth surface is produced without the need for sanding either the mold surface or the paint surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an opaque, white film with a thickness of from 10 to 500 &mgr;m whose principal constituent is a crystallizable thermoplastic. The film comprises at least barium sulfate and at least one optical brightener. The barium sulfate and/or the optical brightener are incorporated directly into the crystallizable thermoplastic or are fed as a masterbatch during film production. At least one surface of the film bears a functional coating with a thickness of from 5 to 100 nm, in order to confer on the film surface an additional function such as sealability, printability, metallizability, sterilizability, antistatic properties, aroma barrier properties or improved adhesion to materials which would not adhere to the film surface without the coating, for example photographic emulsions.

Abstract: Textile materials having high colorfastness, and methods for their production are described. The process involves heatsetting a textile material, then applying a polysiloxane/catalyst combination to the heatset material. The textile material is then dried at low temperature, thereby resulting in a material having good colorfastness and shade. The process can be used to process fibers, yarns or fabrics, and is particularly useful in the processing of microdenier fibers.

Abstract: A method of making photochromic thermoplastic wherein the material is extruded into a length or lengths having at least one relatively small cross-sectional dimension. The length or lengths are treated with a solution of photochromic dye dissolved in a solvent, for example, cyclohexanone, which attacks the material. The length or lengths have a surface area-to-volume ratio sufficiently large to absorb an effective amount of the dye at their surface or surfaces. The length or lengths are dried to evaporate the solvent. The length or lengths are heated during the treating and drying steps. The dried length or lengths are cut into smaller pieces which may be introduced directly into a molding machine to form photochromic articles. Where a plurality of lengths are provided, the surfaces thereof are maintained separated from one another during the treating and drying steps.

Abstract: A method of creating or fabricating a composite preform wherein a mixture of a catalyst and a first epoxy resin is applied to at least one layer of fibers, preferably in the form of a fabric, mat or unidirectional tape. A plurality of stacked layers is formed from layers of fibers with applied mixture thereon, preferably in a mold. The layers are pressurized and/or heated to reduce the viscosity, such as but not limited to melting, of the first epoxy resin and catalyst and then allowed to fuse together to form a preform. The preform in the closed mold is impregnated with a mixture of a second epoxy resin and a polycyanate to cause cross-linking, the cross-linking including the first epoxy resin. The first and second epoxy resins may be the same.

Abstract: A Conventional blanket material, preferably a woven fabric or scrim, is formed into a loop of the desired dimensions and impregnated and coated with a two-component urethane resin. As the urethane is applied to the woven substrate, short fibers are introduced into the urethane through a nozzle which aligns the fibers to run in the cross-machine direction. The fibers are introduced in sufficient quantities to provide significant structural reinforcement of the urethane in the cross-machine direction. The coated blanket is then ground to a desired constant thickness and an array of parallel grooves running in the machine direction are milled into the urethane coating. The anisotropic fiber reinforcement provides sufficient modulus to the urethane system to prevent the grooves from collapsing under the applied loads of the extended nip press. The reinforcing fibers may be glass, carbon fiber, synthetic polymer or other structural fiber material.

Abstract: A method of making a pultruded part having a uniform cross-section using a novel reinforcing mat. The method comprises orienting a plurality of longitudinal rovings along a longitudinal axis of a pultrusion die; providing a reinforcing structure comprising a permeable transport web of staple fibers attached to a plurality of first reinforcing fibers oriented so that the portion of the first reinforcing fibers oriented in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis comprises at least 40% of a volume of materials comprising the reinforcing structure; shaping the reinforcing structure to generally conform with a profile of the pultrusion die; combining a resin matrix with the longitudinal rovings and the reinforcing structure in the pultrusion die so that the longitudinal rovings and the reinforcing structure are substantially surrounded by the resin matrix; at least partially curing the resin matrix in the pultrusion die; and pulling the pultruded part from the pultrusion die.

Abstract: A method of preparing a reinforcing structure for use in manufacture a pultruded part where the reinforcing structure is pulled through a pultrusion die in a continuous longitudinal pull direction. The method includes arranging a plurality of first reinforcing fibers in a transverse direction and attaching a permeable transport web of staple fibers to the first reinforcing fibers such that the portion of the first reinforcing fibers oriented in the direction transverse comprises at least 40% of a volume of materials comprising the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A non-toxic, fire-retardant building material can be made on site, largely from available materials, without special tools or processes. The material cures through natural evaporation, without the application of artificial heat. The cured material has been tested to withstand a direct flame in excess of 1500° C. and is durable as most lightweight aggregate materials of similar thickness when formed into a structural panel or product. The material may be diluted by water as it is mixed and is suitable for spray application. The material has been successfully used as an exterior wall coating or a roof coating and has shown very desirable increase in “R” factor insulation ratings as well as providing a good fire retardant layer.

Abstract: A rug underlay comprising a fiber batting needle-punched to a core thickness of 0.25 to 0.5 inch with one side being flame-treated to produce a surface of matted melted fibers with random stiff spikes of fiber projecting upwardly therefrom; and the other side being coated with a rubber material. The process for making same includes passing the core beneath burners about 4-8 inches therebelow and the burners produce about 20,000 BTU's /hour/foot of burn length measured transversely of the core.

Abstract: This invention relates to grained, textile flat materials coated with PU systems and to a process for the production thereof and to the use of such flat materials as a decorative starting material.

Abstract: A method for producing a tamper evident security holographic label and overlaminate using UV casting techniques, and a security device so produced, comprising a clear protective layer; a thin layer of clear UV cured resin cast partly onto the protective layer following a designed pattern; another layer of UV cured resin bearing a cast holographic image, wherein the bond of the holographic image layer is stronger toward the surface of the protective layer than it is toward the surface of the pattern layer; a reflective layer strongly attached to the adjacent holographic layer; and an adhesive layer bonded to the reflective layer. Such a composite product when adhered to a base substrate via the adhesive layer will show no visible security feature to the unaided eye due to the thin nature of the clear security pattern.

Abstract: An improved method of forming an electrode pattern on a substrate is described. The substrate is coated with a first conductive film and subjected to baking. On the first conductive film is then overlied a second conductive film which mends possible fissures of the first conductive film which, besides, would produce open circuits in the pattern.

Abstract: A method for forming a hollow bottom of an acrylic cup by forming a cup body by injecting a molding with a liquid transparent or semi-transparent acrylic material into a mold to form a mushroom shaped cavity. The cavity in the bottom of the cup body is filled with a gas, permitting the whole cup to appear to have a three dimensional (3D) visual effect. The cavity of the bottom of the cup can be filled with a non-colored or colored liquid to permit the whole cup to contain a deflected visual effect of a plurality of colored layers.

Abstract: Solid objects are formed in an imagewise layering process in which components of a dispersion are homogenized to form an alloy. Imagewise exposure of the layers to radiation to form an alloy permits separation of the exposed, homogenized regions from non-exposed, non-homogenized regions. As each layer is formed and imagewise homogenized, contiguous layer regions are bonded together to form a homogenized, three-dimensional object which may be separated from surrounding dispersion.