Abstract: Techniques for producing at least one PLA strip involve: a) providing a strip-shaped extruded PLA film, b) heating the PLA film provided according to step a) to a temperature in the range from 40 to 70° C., c) cutting the PLA film heated according to step b) into the at least one PLA strip, and d) stretching the PLA film cut according to step c).

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing re-entrant structures, such as the structures exhibiting superomniphobic characteristic, in a continuous, well-controlled, high-rate (mass production, volume) manner are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a pre-stretched plastic packaging film comprising co-extruding a top layer, a bottom layer, and a core layer into a multilayer film intermediate product, wherein the top layer and bottom layer comprise at least about 95 wt % polyethylene resin, and the core layer comprises polyethylene resin and filler particles; stretching the multilayer film intermediate product to impart cavitation in the core layer in the area of the filler particles to form a pre-stretched polyethylene-based film; and rolling the pre-stretched polyethylene-based film onto a roller to form a roll of pre-stretched polyethylene-based film. A multilayer pre-stretched plastic packaging film comprising: a core layer sandwiched between a top layer and a bottom layer wherein the top layer and bottom layer comprise at least about 95 wt % polyethylene, and the core layer comprises filler particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 20 ?m in a polyethylene-based matrix comprising at least about 95 wt % polyethylene.

Abstract: A self-assembly hot water mat capable of extending through an assembly, the self-assembly hot water mat capable of being assembled with other self-assembly hot water mats, having four sides, and including a path for circulating hot water includes a plurality of hot water passages formed in the self-assembly hot water mat to provide a plurality of hot water flow paths, an inlet formed at each of the four sides, through which hot water flows in, and an outlet formed at each of the four sides and paired with the inlet, through which hot water flows out.

Abstract: A surface fastener molding apparatus includes a supporting structure and a second supporting structure for axially supporting a mold roll in a rotatable manner at a first end side and a second end side of the mold roll which is opposite to the first end side. The mold roll includes a circumferential surface in which a plurality of mold cavities for molding engaging elements of the surface fastener is provided. A first linear driving means and second linear driving means are provided which are for, respectively, advancing or retracting the first supporting structure and the second supporting structure. The degree of closeness between the extruding nozzle and the mold roll is regulatable across the first end side and the second end side of the mold roll, based on at least one activation of the first driving means and the second driving means.

Abstract: Methods and systems for manufacturing re-entrant structures, such as the structures exhibiting superomniphobic characteristic, in a continuous, well-controlled, high-rate (mass production, volume) manner are disclosed.

Abstract: A single or multiple lumen catheter is disclosed which includes an expandable lumen. The expandable lumen is movable from a collapsed or sealed configuration to an open or expanded configuration. In the open configuration, the expandable lumen is dimensioned to receive a guidewire or stylet or facilitate the introduction of fluids into a patient.

Abstract: A wrapping material for formed bales of material. The wrapping material including at least one layer of a flexible plastic material film web having a substantially uniform width and divided lengthwise into portions of substantially equal length by a plurality of spaced lines of perforations extending fully transversely across the width of the wrapping material and fully through the layer or layers forming the wrapping material. Each said line of perforations having a first adhesive substrate adhered to a first surface of said wrapping material adjacent to but spaced from the line of perforations. The first adhesive substrate extending substantially across the width of said wrapping material and having, in use, an outwardly facing adhesive surface, and a second adhesive substrate extending substantially across the width of said wrapping material and being adhesively secured to said first surface of the wrapping material whereby the second adhesive substrate overlies said line of perforations.

Abstract: A method of making silicone microspheres comprises nebulizing a silicone precursor solution comprising one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes, a catalyst and a solvent into an aerosol comprising a plurality of droplets. Each droplet comprises the silicone precursor solution. The droplets are entrained in a gas which is flowed through a reaction zone comprising light energy and/or heat energy. Upon exposure of the droplets to the light energy and/or the heat energy, the solvent evaporates and the one or more oligomeric dimethylsiloxanes are polymerized. Thus, silicone microspheres are formed from the droplets of the aerosol.

Abstract: Aspects of the methods and apparatuses herein involve applying fluids onto an advancing substrate. The apparatuses and methods herein may provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to an advancing substrate. The fluid application apparatus may include a slot die applicator and a substrate carrier. The slot die applicator may include a slot opening, a first lip, and a second lip, the slot opening located between the first lip and the second lip. And the substrate carrier may be adapted to advance the substrate past the slot die applicator as the slot die applicator discharges adhesive onto the substrate. In operation, when a first surface of the substrate is disposed on the substrate carrier, the substrate carrier advances a second surface of the substrate past the slot opening of the slot die applicator.

Abstract: Aspects of the methods and apparatuses relate to making elastic laminates, and more particularly, methods and apparatuses for applying elastic material in a curved path onto an advancing substrate. The elastic material may be in various forms, such as for example, elastic strands and/or ribbons. Apparatuses and methods disclosed herein may also provide for the application of viscous fluids, such as adhesives, in pre-determined patterns to the elastic material while being positioned on an advancing substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a polycarbonate resin composition pellet, which has a light transmittance at a wavelength of 380 nm of 97.0% or more when the light transmittance is measured by using a methylene chloride solution having a concentration of 12 g/dL, the solution being charged into a quartz glass cell having an optical path length of 5 cm, and which has a viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) of from 11,000 to 22,000.

Abstract: “Green”, ceramic tapes intended as building blocks for making complex, fully ceramic components and devices for electronic-, lab-on-chip-, and sensing applications, the manufacture of which comprises in sequence: I. mixing of a ceramic “green” paste, II. homogenisation of a ceramic “green” paste, III. dimensioning and optionally structuring the ceramic “green” paste, IV. drying of the dimensioned and structured ceramic paste, in which: step iii) is performed in a combination of an extruder and a calender, the extruder being provided with a circular extrusion die, splitting and unfolding the extruded tube to a flat, continuous tape strip, using methylcellulose or derivatives thereof as binder, and, an additional step chosen among cutting and punching the thus dimensioned and optionally structured “green” paste, thereby making thick, “green” tapes. A method for its manufacture is also contemplated.

Abstract: An edge-beaded fastener product such as a cushion cover tie-down has a molded profile bead secured to and extending along a flexible strip adjacent a longitudinal edge of the strip. The profile bead has a shoulder or an inboard sidewall extending away from the strip, such as for retaining a clip or hog ring. The flexible strip may have a reinforced region, inboard of the shoulder, in which resin contiguous with resin forming the profile bead encapsulates surface features of the strip. The product is made by molding resin directly onto the strip. Multiple lanes of resin may be molded on a single substrate, which is severed to form individual strips with severed, exposed strip edges.

Abstract: A process is provided for making bulk textured material sheeting. As a continuous supply of flat material sheeting is fed, the sheeting is repeatedly impacted with toothed knives, each knife creating a row of raised and generally pointed structures on the sheeting to texture the sheeting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pultrusion process in which a continuous reinforcement profile is formed by canting of at least one prepreg strip composed of a fiber-reinforced plastics material. The first shaping of the profile takes place in a preform device, which is downstream of a pressure-molding device for final shaping and prehardening. The movement of the profile takes place synchronously with respect to the operating cycle of the pressure-molding device by means of a traction device. By using a cutting device, it is possible to cut the profile to length and/or to subject edges to subsequent mechanical operations to ensure that correct dimensions are maintained. A continuous (pultrusion) gusset is inserted between the prepreg strips in a radius region of the profile. The gusset has an approximately triangular cross sectional geometry and it is formed by a plurality of continuous fibers braided with one another.

Abstract: A geonet having a length substantially greater than its width and including no more than first and second layers of strands. A first plurality of substantially parallel strands extends in the lengthwise direction and defines the first layer of strands, and a second plurality of substantially parallel strands is disposed on top of, and at an angle relative to, the first plurality of strands and defines the second layer of strands. The first and second plurality of strands are substantially incompressible and secured to one another at crossover locations. Geocomposites include geotextile bonded to at least one side of the geonet. The geonets/geocomposites are laid in geotechnical construction sites in the direction of expected drainage flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to an unidirectionally-oriented film comprising a thermoplastic polyester and a polycarbonate. The unidirectionally-oriented film may further comprise an anti-blocking agent and/or a slip agent. Depending on its width, the films of the invention may be used for food packaging; it may be used for strapping cartons, boxes, pallets, textile bales; and it may be used for woven tape fabric. The fabric woven from films of the invention may be used for making sacks, flexible intermediate bulk containers, hot fill jumbo bags for materials such as bitumen, PVC coated fabrics for flex signage, carpet backing, geo textiles, geogrids, metallised fabrics, and self-reinforced composites.

Abstract: A device for producing pre-stretch film includes a die defining a die outlet through which molten polymer is extruded. The polymer is suitable for producing the pre-stretch film. A film producing device is spaced apart from the die. One or more coolant supplies are positioned proximate the film producing device for directing a stream of coolant onto the molten polymer positioned on the film producing device.

Abstract: A film processing apparatus includes a film delivery section and a film stretching section. The film stretching section is positioned downstream of the film delivery section. The film stretching section defines a first inlet and a first outlet. The film processing apparatus includes one or more slitting devices positioned between the first inlet and the first outlet.

Abstract: A method for maximizing a width of a pre-stretch film includes providing polymer being suitable for producing the pre-stretch film. A pre-stretch film having strips of increased thickness is produced. The method includes coordinating a thickness of the strips of increased thickness with a formation of edge thickening caused by neck-in during stretching of the pre-stretch film.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

Abstract: Flexible tubular film (10) is helically cut into a flat strip by unwinding the tubular film in flattened form by a tumbling unwinder (1), advancing the flat film tube to a tube expansion zone (17) in which the flat tube is expanded into a circular cylindrical tube and is passed axially over a hollow mandrel (14) slightly lower in external diameter than the diameter of the expanded tube to be cut by knife (18) helically while on the mandrel into a flat strip that is removed at an angle to the mandrel axis. The flat tube is longitudinally stretched by stretching rollers (107-112), which tumble with the tumbling unwinder. The apparatus further comprises stabilization means for stabilizing the orientation applied by the tumbling stretching rollers, applied to the helically cut film strip after it has been drawn from the mandrel.

Abstract: A polyethylene composition, in particular suitable for the preparation of monofilaments, mono-tapes and stretched tapes, is described. The polyethylene composition of the invention comprises 95.1%-99.5% by weight of polyethylene having a density above 0.930 g/cm3 and a polydispersity Mw/Mn from 2.0 to 5.9, and 4.9%-0.5% by weight of polybutene. The bubble stability and the me-chanical properties of the films prepared from this composition are advantageously improved. The use of a polyethylene composition comprising 90.0%-99.5% by weight of polyethylene having a density above 0.930 g/cm3, and 10.0%-0.5% by weight of polybutene, for preparing monofila-ments, monotapes or stretched tapes is also described.

Abstract: A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of high-strength ribbons having a high modulus of elasticity made of a highly molecular polyolefin, wherein the polyolefins, particularly polypropylene and polyethylene, are extruded through a slotted nozzle, are then subjected to a temperature of 85° to 135° C. for a duration of at least one second, the films are then cut into individual ribbons, if necessary, and stretched at temperatures between 90° and 165° C. in one or more steps, are rolled up or further processed directly into textiles or technical flexible sheet materials. The ribbons can be laminated into multi-layer flexible sheet materials by using adhesives or adhesion promoters, the flexible sheet materials being particularly suitable as protection from ballistic projectiles. In this case particularly in the form of plate-shaped or flexible compound bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinneret for spinning threads from a spinning mass—in the form of a melt or solution of natural or synthetic origin—comprising a rotationally symmetrical spinneret. The rotationally symmetrical spinneret inner part is surrounded at least partially by a rotationally symmetrical outer part, wherein in the longitudinal direction between the spinneret inner part and outer part an insulating chamber is formed, in which a gas, preferably air, is received in order to form an insulating gas layer. The invention further relates to a spinning device for spinning threads from a spinning mass, comprising a spinneret part and a gas nozzle part arranged at a distance from the spinneret part. A plurality of spinnerets according to the invention are inserted in the spinneret part and project from the spinneret part, facing the gas nozzle part, and the gas nozzle part comprises a plurality of gas nozzles associated with the spinnerets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tape comprising from (i) about 75 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of a thermoplastic polyester, (ii) from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % of a linear low-density polyethylene and (iii) from 0 wt % to about 5 wt % of other components, said tape having a thickness from 5 ?m to 300 ?m and a width from 0.5 mm to 7 mm. This tape shows no twinning and sticking to other tapes after slitting, has very good mechanical properties. When the tape is wound, bobbins having a regular shape can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wide film comprises a casting operation, a stretching operation, and a trimming operation. The casting operation is a process of casting a film using a wide casting belt including a central belt, a left belt having a right end formed integrally with a left end of the central belt through a left joint in a length direction of the central belt, and a right belt having a left end formed integrally with a right end of the central belt through a right joint in the length direction of the central belt. The stretching operation is a process of stretching a film stripped off from the wide casting belt using a tenter. The trimming operation is a process of trimming predetermined parts of left and right sides of the stretched film. In the trimming operation, mark parts by the left and right joints are also trimmed.

Abstract: Biaxially-oriented nylon film according to the present invention is biaxially-oriented nylon film made from nylon. In the biaxially-oriented nylon film, an elongation ratio of the film in each of four directions (an MD direction, a TD direction, a 45 degree direction and a 135 degree direction) until a film rupture is 70 percent or more, the elongation ratio being measured in a tensile test (testing conditions: a sample width is 15 mm; a distance between gauge points is 50 mm; and a tensile speed is 100 mm/min), and a stress ratio A (?1/?2) between a tensile stress ?1 and a tensile stress ?2 in a stress-strain curve obtained in the tensile test of the film is 2 or more in each of the four directions, the tensile stress ?1 being a value at a point where the elongation ratio becomes 50 percent while the tensile stress ?2 being a value at an yield point.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for making a carbon nanotube structure. The method includes steps of providing a tubular carbon nanotube array; selecting a carbon nanotube segment having a predetermined width from the tubular carbon nanotube array using a drawing tool; and drawing the carbon nanotube segment along a radial direction of the tubular carbon nanotube array to achieve the carbon nanotube structure.

Abstract: A flexible tubing for fine bubble aeration is provided with an air passageway defined in part by an upper portion and a lower portion. The tubing can be made of a uniform weighted material with more material in the lower portion than in the upper portion. This makes the tubing self-orienting, in that it will tend to orient itself with micro-slits along the upper portion facing upward and the lower portion facing downward when submerged in a body of water. An automated, one-stage production line converts raw tubing material to a finished tubing product without the need for separate processing. A method of coiling the tubing places the micro-slits approximately 90° away from the surface of a spool hub, thereby avoiding a longitudinal arch in the tubing and ultimately preventing roll-over and improper slit orientation after installation in a water body.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic hollow body including extruding a molten plastic parison through a die. At least one longitudinal cut is made in the parison. The parison is introduced into a mold comprising two cavities. The hollow body is molded by conforming the parison to the mold cavities. The die includes a passage for the molten plastic which gradually modifies the shape of the parison so that it is substantially flattened on exiting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing small, thin sheets from an active-ingredient film (2), in which the latter is produced by casting the film material onto a substrate material or by coating a substrate material, storing it with or without substrate material on a reel, pulling it off the reel and cutting it. It achieves the object of designing a method of this type in such a way that with this method small sheets can be produced as exactly as possible in predetermined sizes. To do this, the active-ingredient film (2) is pulled off automatically, is separated from a substrate material which, if present, and in tensioned form, is fed to a cutting station and is cut, in the feed direction, into long, narrow strips (7) of predeterminable width, and the long strips (7) are brought together in the feed direction and together are fed by a further feed device (10) to a transverse cutter (11), which cuts through the combined long strips (7) at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: In making bodily fluid absorbent pads quantity of scrapped material is reduced. A bodily fluid absorbent pad (liner) 10 has a shape symmetric in a longitudinal direction P as well as in a transverse direction Q. A dimension of the pad 10 in the transverse direction Q is larger in opposite end regions 31, 32 than in an intermediate region 33. The pad 10 is formed along opposite side edges 11a, 11b with first and second compressed lines 21, 22. Paired compression rolls 302 are used to form the first and second compressed lines 21, 22, and at least one roll constituting the paired compression rolls 302 is formed on a peripheral surface thereof with compressing units projecting from the peripheral surface. The compressing units are arranged in a circumferential direction to form one row and at least one additional row, which is adjacent to the one row in an axial direction of the roll.

Abstract: Making foamed polyolefin tapes can include combining a polyolefin resin and a chemical blowing agent to form a mixture. This mixture can then be heated in an extruder to create a supersaturated solution of gas within the polyolefin resin. A cooling device can be positioned adjacent to a die at a set distance for receiving extruded resin and for allowing exposure of the extruded resin to ambient air between a die outlet and the cooling device. This predetermined distance or space between the cooling device and die outlet allows bubbles to grow in the extruded resin and to be shaped such that voids or empty spaces can be generated within the extruded polyolefin resin. The voids or empty spaces allow the formation of tapes which use less material but have adequate strength for various applications, such as for carpet backings, geotextiles, packaging, housewrap, bags, wire insulation, and reinforcement elements in concrete.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper blade (10) with a wiper strip (14) made of elastic material and having a wiper strip head (20) and a wiper lip (26) which can be placed on a window (22) to be wiped, wherein the wiper lip (26) is designed as a wedge-shaped extension (24) of the wiper strip head (20) and has a point angle (42) of between 60 degrees and 150 degrees, said point angle leading into a contact surface (44) having a radius (46) of smaller than 100 micrometers, and also to a method for the production of said wiper blade.

Abstract: A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a grass yarn for artificial turf. A film is produced from a polymer material in an extrusion process and divided into individual strips. The strips are crimped before being coiled into spools. The aim of the invention is to achieve a structure which particularly matches natural grass. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the film or the strips are fibrillated by a needle roller before crimping and the strips are separated after on and individually crimped independently of each other.

Abstract: A process for the production of tapes from a web of polymeric material, as well as an apparatus for carrying out the process, in which a polymer melt is extruded to form the web, which is then cooled, and drawn off. The web is then cut to form a tape sheet composed of a plurality of tapes. According to the invention, before its drawing, the sheet of tapes is divided into several groups of tapes and drawn separately. For this, a drawing device is provided with which the tapes are drawn separately after division of the sheet of tapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for inflation extrusion molding of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet, including: one or a plurality of extruders; a die into which one or a plurality of resin materials are respectively introduced and which extrudes from an ejection opening the resin materials into an inflated cylindrical shape having a predetermined diameter in accordance with an inflation method; and two stabilizers facing each other at a predetermined angle so as to upwardly approach each other, and defining a space therebetween through which the cylindrically-shaped resin materials extruded from the die are passed to be deformed into a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in a flattened elliptical shape having a predetermined width, in which the stabilizers each have a plurality of air floating portions each of which blows air toward the resin materials; and the stabilizers rotate in one direction around the central axis of the cylindrically-shaped resin materials.

Abstract: A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) fiber includes a filament obtained by partially slitting an oriented PTFE film in a lengthwise direction of the film. Emboss processing is conducted linearly along the lengthwise direction of the film and like a zigzag shape or a convexo-concave shape in a width direction of the film, followed by slitting, whereby the filament includes a network structure in which single fibrils that are opened partially are arranged regularly. A PTFE short fiber is obtained by cutting the above filament and includes a branch structure. Thereby, a PTFE fiber with a small average fineness of single fibrils, a uniform fineness and a single-peak distribution with the peak at a center of fineness and with a high production yield and uniform and stable branch structure can be provided and a method for manufacturing the PTFE fiber can be provided.

Abstract: A release liner web has thermoplastic membranes coated on opposite sides of the release liner web that are thermoplastically fused proximally to an edge of the release liner web, nearly doubling the width of thermoplastic membranes that can be prepared using conventional equipment. Also described are geomembranes prepared from an amorphous or semi-crystalline thermoplastic sheet material and having a high gloss surface, and methods of manufacture and use of same.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an elongated panel formed of synthetic materials including a polymer resin matrix, a filler and a fiber reinforcement. The process includes depositing the curable composition on a conveyor belt, distributing and leveling the curable composition prior to feeding the composition into a compression apparatus in which the curable composition is partially cured as it is compressed to form the panel. The machine for manufacturing the composite panel includes a mixer for the polymer system, filler and fiber reinforcement, a distribution apparatus that distributes the curable composition prior to feeding the composition into a compacting apparatus. The process and machine may be used to form a composite siding board that includes a grain pattern on at least one side.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monofilament, a yarn, a tape, or a staple fiber, each having 1 to 12,000 Denier per filament, a draw ratio of 2.5:1 to 25:1, and made of a polypropylene composition of a melt blended admixture of about 93% by weight of polypropylene, about 5% by weight of a polypropylene/ethylene copolymer, and about 2 wt. % of an additive. Also, a process for preparing the monofilament, yarn, tape, or staple fiber is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates a structure and method of manufacturing a unitary double-blade wind shield wiper. The method comprises a thermal forming step, a cutting step, a folding step and preferably a bonding step. In the thermal forming step, a rubber plate is imprinted into a rubber product which contains a plurality of continually connected wind shield wipers with a plurality of folding guide grooves. In the cutting step, the rubber product is divided into a plurality of independent wind shield wipers, wherein each of the independent wind shield wipers has a pair of blades extending in opposite directions to each other. In the folding step, each of the independent wind shield wipers is folded along the folding guide groove thereby to make the pair of blades parallel to each other. Preferable, further to impose the bonding step to fix the independent wind shield wipers into a permanent configuration, so as to be a more durable unitary double-blade wind shield wiper.

Abstract: A method includes forming an elongated member having a tubular shape. The elongated member includes a sidewall that defines a lumen. A spiral-shaped opening is formed in the sidewall such that the elongated member is configured to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration along a longitudinal axis of the lumen. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a distal retention structure. The distal retention structure can be disposed at a distal end of the elongated member and can define a lumen in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the sidewall of the elongated member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing oriented slit film tapes, comprising the following steps: extruding melt polymer through a die (2); simultaneous quenching and melt-drawing of the molten polymer in the cooling device to form a film sheet (3); slitting the initial film sheet into a plurality of relatively narrow slit film tapes (4); stretching (8) at elevated temperature, by passing the slit film tapes through a heating medium (7) at a temperature just below the softening temperature of the slit film tapes; y annealing and cooling the oriented slit film tapes (10, 11); winding the slit film tapes (13); characterized in that before the stretching step, it has a stage of pre-stretching (108) made by passing the slit film tapes through one set of heated holding rollers (107) turning at a given speed and one set of cooled pre-stretch rollers (109) turning faster than the heated holding rollers, wherein at least one of the rollers of the set of holding rollers is heated and at least one of the roller

Abstract: A process by which many kinds of unstretched films comprising a thermoplastic resin are produced each in a small amount and high yield. A thermoplastic resin (A) to be formed into an unstretched film and another thermoplastic resin (B) are separately melted by heating. The thermoplastic resin (B) is introduced to each edge part of a T-die (2) for extrusion. The two resins are ejected and extruded on a casting roll so that the thermoplastic rosin (B) is disposed on the side of each edge of the thermally melted thermoplastic resin (A). Thus, an unstretched film (20) is formed which comprises the thermoplastic resin (A) and the thermoplastic resin (B) disposed on the side of each edge of the resin (A). Thereafter, the parts constituted of the thermoplastic resin (B) are removed y cutting to form a target unstretched film (20) consisting only of the thermoplastic resin (A).