Abstract: A reinforced pipeline liner designed to facilitate installation and systems and methods for producing and installing a reinforced pipeline liner. A reinforced pipeline liner can comprise a body portion having a layer of matrix material, the layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of interspersed reinforcement structures embedded within the body portion. The reinforcement structures are positioned between the inner surface and outer surface of the layer and circumferentially offset from the other reinforcement structures. Additionally, the body portion may have multiple thicknesses.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface and a mechanical fastener precursor are disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with spaced-apart, upstanding posts with base portions attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal tips; deforming the distal tips to form caps on at least some of the spaced-apart, upstanding posts to provide capped posts, wherein at least some caps upon forming touch at least one adjacent cap; and separating the capped posts. Typically, the at least some caps upon forming are shaped at least partially by the at least one adjacent cap. The mechanical fastener precursor includes a thermoplastic backing and upstanding male fastening elements with bases attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps larger in area than the cross-sectional area of the bases, wherein the bases of the male fastening elements are spaced apart, wherein at least some of the distal caps touch at least one adjacent distal cap.

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 self-wrapping nonwoven sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes a non-woven wall having a thickness extending between inner and outer sides. The wall has opposite edges extending along a length of the sleeve between opposite ends. The opposite edges are biased into a self-wrapped configuration by heat-set material of the nonwoven wall to define a tubular cavity. The non-woven wall includes first and second portions extending between the opposite edges. The first portion and second portion have respective first and second thicknesses extending between the inner and outer sides, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness and wherein the first portion provides flexibility to the wall and the second portion is heat set to bias the wall into its self-wrapped configuration.

Abstract: A laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a resin substrate; a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on one side of the resin substrate; and an antistatic layer formed on another side of the resin substrate and comprising a binder resin and a conductive material. The antistatic layer has a fine uneven surface; and the fine uneven surface includes protrusions having an average height of 25 nm or more and a softening temperature of 150° C. or more.

Abstract: Touch fastener products, as well as apparatus and methods for manufacturing such products, are described. The methods and apparatus feature certain mold cavity shapes that are designed to facilitate demolding of hammer hook touch fastener elements exhibiting desirable fastening properties. Such mold cavity shapes can be combined with particularly soft molding resins to produce useful fastening products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel composite preventing ice adhesion. A plurality of micro-roughened surfaces or organometallized micro-roughened surfaces wetted with a hydrophobic, low freezing-point liquid results in a durable, renewable anti-icing composite. The preparation method for novel icing and rain protecting composite is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing the carbon fiber (or the nonwoven fabric configured of the aforementioned carbon fiber) of which the surface area, the graphitization degree, and the fiber diameter are large, high, and small, respectively, and yet of which dispersion is small. The method of producing the carbon fiber nonwoven fabric includes a dispersion liquid preparing step of preparing a dispersion liquid containing resin and pitch, an electrospinning step of producing the nonwoven fabric that is comprised of carbon fiber precursors with electrospinning from the aforementioned dispersion liquid, and a modifying step of modifying the carbon fiber precursors of the nonwoven fabric obtained in the aforementioned electrospinning step into the carbon fiber.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for longitudinal orientation of thermoplastic film material (4) comprises a width-reduction zone upstream of the longitudinal stretching zone, through which the width of the film is gradually reduced so as to allow longitudinal stretching without necking. The width-reduction zone comprises at least one, preferably several, pairs of pleating rollers (16, 17) comprising intermeshing grooves or discs for pleating the material, the length of said width reduction zone preferably being less than 3 times the original width of the film. The width-reducing zone has upstream (14) and downstream (15) rollers or roller assemblies, with curved axes and optionally also conveyor belts for providing smooth width reduction. Longitudinal stretching is preferably between at least two, and preferably more than two, pairs of stretching rollers (9, 10, 11, 12) which are relatively close together.

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: A method of feeding a composite molten resin capable of easily forming a multi-kind-multi-layer preform. An apparatus for feeding the composite molten resin has a nozzle portion which includes an outer discharge port in which an outermost annular flow path through which a main layer-forming molten resin flows, meets an outer annular flow path through which a sub-layer-forming molten resin flows inside of the outermost annular flow path; and an inner discharge port in which a shell layer-forming molten resin annularly flowing inside of the outer conflux path, meets the core layer-forming molten resin flowing inside the shell layer; the outer discharge port and the inner discharge port being arranged in this order from the downstream toward the upstream in a direction in which the molten resins flow; wherein provision is made of a shaft-like opening/closing valve for opening and closing the inner discharge port, and a gear pump for intermittently discharging the sub-layer-forming molten resin.

Abstract: A method of making an auxetic mesh, which method includes: (a) extruding a polymeric material 60 onto an open casting surface 58 that has an intended pattern 62 disposed therein, the pattern 62 being configured to create an auxetic mesh 20; (b) wiping off excess extruded polymeric material 60 from the open casting surface 64; (c) removing the cast mesh 20 from the open casting surface 64 after the excess polymeric material 60 has been wiped off; and (d) removing any residual polymeric material that is not of the intended mesh pattern 20. The method allows for the continuous production of auxetic meshes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing extruded profiled elements (3) from an elastomer material. In said method, the extruded profiled element (3) is formed from the elastomer material in a first step, the extruded profiled element (3) is entirely or partly surrounded by a thermoplastic material, the elastomer material that is surrounded by the thermoplastic material is cured, and the thermoplastic material is finally removed again once the elastomer material has been cured.

Abstract: A molding hook and loop fastener includes a plurality of surface fastener portions and a coupling member that is formed of a resilient body and connects the surface fastener portions. The coupling member includes a pair of vertical wall coupling portions which is continuously disposed along a longitudinal direction on both sides in between an engaging element area and which connects the surface fastener portions. With this configuration, when the molding hook and loop fastener is integrally molded to a cushion body, it is possible to prevent a resin material from penetrating into the engaging element area of the surface fastener portion and to stably secure a desired fastening strength at the engaging element area.

Abstract: A method of forming a touch fastener product having a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener elements each extending from the base includes providing a molded sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener element preforms, each preform extending from the base and including both a stem portion rising from the base and a head portion both contiguous with a distal end of the stem portion and having an upper surface directed away from the base, the head portion including at least one laterally directed extension overhanging the base in a primary lateral direction between exposed sides of the fastener element preform and ending at a distal, free tip; and then forming respective caps, of a cap material of a higher flex modulus than the resin of the preforms, on the upper surfaces of at least some of the molded fastener element preforms to form the discrete fastener elements.

Abstract: An optical film includes a multi-layer sheet including: a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate polymer layers, the polymer layers having a first refraction index in a first direction parallel to a plane of the polymer layers and a second refraction index in a second direction parallel to the plane of the polymer layers, and a plurality of polyethylene terephthalate copolymer layers, the copolymer layers having a third refraction index in the first and second directions, a protection sheet on at least one side of the multi-layer sheet, and an adhesive member between the multi-layer sheet and the protection sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing nanostructured and/or microstructured surfaces in an adhesive layer, more particularly in a self-adhesive layer, in which an adhesive polymer mixture, more particularly a self-adhesive polymer mixture, is guided into a nip formed by a relief roll, whose surface has been provided with a relief which represents the negative of the surface structure to be produced on the adhesive layer, and by a nip roll, and where the relief roll and the nip roll rotate in opposite directions, wrapped partly around the relief roll is a web-form carrier material which is guided through the nip and whose speed corresponds more particularly to the peripheral speed of the relief roll, the adhesive polymer mixture, more particularly the self-adhesive polymer mixture, is pressed through the nip, so that the near-roll surface of the polymer mixture is shaped in accordance with the relief, lies in layer form on the carrier material after passage through the nip, and is guided away with t

Abstract: A heat-resistant material based on an amorphous thermoplastic polymer that is resistant to, but highly compatible with electrolyte solutions is disclosed. In an aspect, the heat-resistant material is used to form a separator for a battery cell and/or an electrolytic capacitor cell.

Abstract: A process for production of a nonwoven fabric, which comprises a step wherein a thermoplastic polymer is dissolved in a mixed solvent composed of a volatile good solvent and a volatile poor solvent, a step wherein the resulting solution is spun by an electrospinning method and a step wherein a nonwoven fabric accumulated on a collecting sheet is obtained, is employed to provide a nonwoven fabric having a surface area sufficiently large as a matrix for cell culturing in the field of regenerative medicine, with large gaps between filaments and a low apparent density suitable for cell culturing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a multilayer object in synthetic resin (9) by compression molding a dose of molten multilayer resin (1) comprising at least one functional layer (2,20), each layer of the dose being in the molten state at the time of compression; the method consisting at least in co-extruding the resins through a die, in cutting the extrudate periodically in order to obtain a dose (1), then in depositing the dose (1) in the molten state in the cavity of a mold; the method thereby defining, within the dose, an extrusion direction and an arrangement of the functional layer (2,20) parallel to the extrusion direction; the method being characterized in that the dose is compressed along a compression axis (16) which intersects the extrusion direction, so as to introduce, into the flow of the layers, asymmetry with respect to the compression axis (16).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cell array structure includes a first step of laminating a deformable layer capable of causing plastic deformation on a substrate, the substrate being formed with plural, mutually separated depressions on a top surface thereof, such that the deformable layer forms a mutually isolated space in each of the plural depressions; and a second step of extending the space in each of the plural depressions by causing plastic deformation in the deformable layer, such that there are formed plural columnar cells respectively in correspondence to the plural depressions.

Abstract: In one embodiment is provided a polymer blend of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), wherein the poly(vinylacetate) is present in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend. In another embodiment is provided a fiber produced from this polymer blend, and which has cells therein. In another embodiment is provided a flavorant release material comprising the porous fiber disclosed herein, and one or more flavorants disposed in a longitudinally extending core within the fiber. In another embodiment is provided a polymer fiber membrane containing a hollow, porous fiber formed from the polymer blend disclosed herein. In another embodiment is provided a filter containing the fiber described herein.

Abstract: A touch fastener strip includes a sheet-form material substrate having a front face, an array of fastener elements integrally molded with a resin base layer on the front face of the substrate and an array of discrete regions of resin (e.g., gripping elements) integrally molded with a resin base layer through apertures in the sheet-form material on the back face of the substrate. The array of fastener elements forms a discrete band of fastener elements extending longitudinally along the front face of the fastener strip, and the array of gripping elements forms a discrete band of gripping elements extending longitudinally along the back face of the fastener strip.

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 purpose of the invention is to eliminate water-permeable sheets and thus to eliminate various bothersome works related to the water-permeable sheets. To achieve the purpose, the surfaces of the chutes 21, 22 are roughened by sandblasting. The chutes 21, 22 are made of metal such as stainless steel, for example. Processed metal surfaces are generally smooth with almost no friction. Moreover, metal has its inherent water repellency. If water is flowed on a bare metal surface, some parts do not get wet while some parts have concentrated surge water flow thereon. However, by sandblasting the surfaces of the chutes 21, 22, adequate friction resistance is generated and inherent water repellency of metal is eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a multifilament thread in a melt-spinning process, wherein a treatment channel is formed between a housing plate and an impact plate. The housing plate has a nozzle bore which opens into the treatment channel and is connected to a compressed-air connection. Together with the housing plate, the impact plate forms an inlet opening and an outlet opening at both ends of the treatment channel. In order to check the swirling effects which are produced on the thread by the eddying within the treatment channel, according to the invention the impact plate has a thread guiding element in the part piece of the treatment channel between the nozzle bore and the inlet opening, which thread guiding element is configured so as to protrude into the treatment channel in order to deflect the thread.

Abstract: A feed channel spacer for use in a spiral wound membrane element provides a series of generally parallel interior channels. The interior channels extend from an inlet side of the spacer to an outlet side of the spacer, but follow an undulating or zigzagging path. Dean's vortices or other flow patterns that cause mixing reduce concentration polarization. The feed channel spacer is made by pressing a sheet of thermoplastic material in a die.

Abstract: Provided are a medical suture having micro cogs on a surface thereof and a method of manufacturing the medical suture. The method of manufacturing a medical suture includes steps of: producing a suture preform where micro cogs are formed on a surface thereof by heating and pressing a raw material of a suture for surgery in an overflow mould in a heat-press solid-phase forming method; and producing a suture with twist maintained by applying a tensile force and a rotational force to the suture preform in a vacuum state where a specific temperature condition is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new fibers, new processes of using said fibers, and new sheath dope compositions for multi-layer spinning processes. The fibers comprise a porous core and a sheath surrounding said porous core. The fibers may be useful in, for example, processes for removing low level contaminants like sulfur compounds from a gas stream like natural gas.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose a method for creating a silicone encased flexible cable using manufacturing machinery including automatically arranging plural individual conduits, into custom grouped arrangements including electrical wiring, pneumatic tubing and fluid tubing, inserting the custom grouped arrangements including connectors and flexible silicone junction devices into a shaped silicone encasement extrusion apparatus, depositing a mixture of silicone and additives to the custom grouped arrangements encasement using the extrusion apparatus, customizing the mixture of silicone and additives to create differing characteristics of the custom grouped arrangements, using the extrusion apparatus to create a singular encasement and to cure the singular encasement to a desired shape of the custom grouped arrangements and integrating one or more encased flexible junction box to the custom grouped arrangements, wherein the one or more flexible junction box contains at least one incoming and two outgoing conduit con

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, which has excellent feel on the skin and elasticity, and excellent air permeability in the planar directions and the thickness direction, as well as a method of producing the nonwoven fabric. A nonwoven fabric having projections and recesses, comprising extensible fiber and elastic fiber, wherein the first surface of the nonwoven fabric has a plurality of projections and a plurality of recesses, and the proportion of extensible fiber in the projections is higher than the proportion of extensible fiber in the recesses.

Abstract: An injection molded product is provided that does not require any separate processes after the injection molding and on a surface of which a beautiful pattern is formed. The injection molded product includes a highly even surface and an irregular minute prominent surface having a profile having an arithmetic mean deviation higher than an arithmetic mean deviation of a profile of the highly even surface, and on which a pattern is formed by a difference in the arithmetic mean deviation of the profile of the highly even surface and of the irregular minute prominent surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing an air-through nonwoven fabric comprising the steps of: forming a web comprising composite fibers comprising a first polylactic acid and a second polylactic acid having a lower melting point than the melting point of the first polylactic acid; a step of exposing the web to a first air-through treatment in the temperature range of the following temperature T1: glass transition temperature of second polylactic acid<T1<melting point of second polylactic acid; and a step of exposing the web that has been exposed to the first air-through treatment, to a second air-through treatment in the temperature range of the following temperature T2: melting point of second polylactic acid?5° C.?T2?melting point of second polylactic acid+15° C., to produce an air-through nonwoven fabric, wherein the degree of crystallinity of the air-through nonwoven fabric is in the range of 44% to 68%.

Abstract: A method of controlling a slot die comprises positioning actuators of the slot die with a controller according to a first set of discrete settings, operating the slot die by passing an extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot with the actuators positioned according to the first set of discrete settings, and while passing the extrudate through the fluid flow path and out the applicator slot, changing the positions of the actuators with the controller to create patterned features in the extrudate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an adhesive closure part (1) comprising a support (2), a single-pieced arrangement made of projecting stems with hooking elements (4), which are mounted in the region of the stems (3) opposite the support.

Abstract: The inventive intermediate fixing element (1) is embodied in one piece by injection moulding and comprises a plate (2) which is substentially flat and comprises a first or top surface and a second or lower surface, at least one anchoring element (6), for example in the form of a herringbone or a tree produced directly by the top surface moulding and hooks (7) which are produced directly by the lower surface moulding and whose shape, sizes and thermoplastic material are selected in such a way that said hooks, after being shaped in a mould and extracted therefrom, substentially recover the initial shape thereof, wherein said hooks are sufficiently flexible in order to be bent during extraction from the mould.

Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a manufacturing process produces and an. Article produced has a self-retaining suture wherein a force is used to squeeze the suture causing retainers to form out of material from the suture body. In an embodiment of the invention, fins are formed between the retainers and the suture body, wherein said fins support the retainers. In another embodiment, retainer stops are provided in order to prevent the retainer from settling back in the body of the suture.

Abstract: A roller die preformer for use in an extrusion system to form wide extruded components, such as a rubber tire tread, on a surface of a roller. The roller die preformer includes a flow inlet, a flow outlet and a laterally expanding flow channel extending from the flow inlet to the flow outlet. A flow restrictor is configured within the flow channel to urge the flow of material toward the lateral extremities of the flow channel to thereby form an extruded component at the flow outlet having a lateral width which is greater than the lateral width of the flow inlet of the preformer.

Abstract: Mastering tools and systems and methods for forming a cell on the mastering tools are provided. An exemplary method includes emitting a first laser light pulse from a laser for a first predetermined time interval such that at least a portion of the first laser light pulse forms the cell on the mastering tool. The cell has an opening size within a range of 10-100 micrometers and an aspect ratio less than or equal to 1.25.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a mold surface at least a portion of which surface has a complex pattern of microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface and heated to its molten state to replicate a pattern on the mold surface. Then the powder can be cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.

Abstract: A method for making a mushroom-type hook strap for mechanical fasteners is disclosed. In a first stage of the method, a hook strap on which a plurality of hook preforms each having a substantially V-shaped free end are integrally molded. Then, in a second stage of the method, the V-shaped free end of each the hook preform is deformed into a polygonal head portion by two calendar rolls so as to form a mushroom-type hook strap that has a higher engaging percentage with the loop strap, has a longer lifetime, and is capable of providing a reliable and all-directional uniform fastening function.

Abstract: A medical device which defines a lumen for flowing a bodily fluid from an upstream end of the device to a downstream end thereof is disclosed. The device has a luminal wall (14) that extends between the upstream and downstream ends and defines the lumen within which the fluid flows. The wall exhibits a succession of protuberances spaced from each other along the length of the device. Each protuberance has a flank facing upstream (54) and a flank facing downstream (64), the flank facing upstream extending into the fluid flow so that a radially outermost part of the flow of fluid from the upstream to the downstream end of the device impinges on the upstream flank and is thereby caused to reverse its flow, and flow upstream from the upstream flank to the downstream flank of the next adjacent protuberance upstream, creating micro-vortices between two adjacent protuberances.

Abstract: A thermoplastic endless belt has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a sprocket with circumferentially spaced sheaves at a sprocket pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the sprocket can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. The belt is preferred for use in conveyors in food processing industries where the smooth outer surface can transport food items and is easier to clean and keep free of impurities.

Abstract: An artificial or modified natural blood flow tubing has a helical-flow inducer to induce helical flow in such a fashion as to eliminate or reduce turbulence. One inducer is a tubular stent of expansible mesh having a helical vane.

Abstract: A method for making a mushroom-type hook strap for mechanical fasteners is disclosed. In a first stage of the method, a hook strap on which a plurality of hook preforms each having a substantially V-shaped free end are integrally molded. Then, in a second stage of the method, the V-shaped free end of each the hook preform is deformed into a polygonal head portion by two calendar rolls so as to form a mushroom-type hook strap that has a higher engaging percentage with the loop strap, has a longer lifetime, and is capable of providing a reliable and all-directional uniform fastening function.

Abstract: A thermoplastic endless belt has a smooth outer surface substantially free of discontinuities and an inner surface with a plurality of teeth at a given belt pitch. The teeth are adapted to engage a sprocket with circumferentially spaced sheaves at a sprocket pitch greater than the belt pitch. The belt is slightly stretchable so that the sprocket can drive the endless belt when engaging the teeth within a range of load on the belt. The belt is preferred for use in conveyors in food processing industries where the smooth outer surface can transport food items and is easier to clean and keep free of impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for forming hook elements directly on a fabric substrate. In the method of present invention, melted plastic material is injected into cavities of a molding roll; excessive plastic material is scraped from a peripheral surface of the molding roll with a scrapper; a web of fabric substrate is bonded to the hooks molded in the cavities through a thermo-pressing process by using a thermo-pressing roll; and the combined hooks and fabric substrate is cooled and removed from the molding roll to form a fabric material with a hook strap. The present invention also provides an apparatus for performing the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for texturing yarns for rugs or carpet, upstream of a heat treatment unit. Process characterized in that it consists essentially of or comprises making, downstream of a rack, on at least one yarn, at least one microtexturing operation using a microtexturing machine, then depositing the yarn obtained at the outlet of the microtexturing machine, in bulk or in loops, in a free state, onto an intermediate device for accumulation and transport, carrying the yarn obtained to a downstream heat treatment unit.

Abstract: Catheters, balloons, and methods of manufacturing balloons for balloon catheters using lasers are disclosed. A catheter with a shaft sized for use with a 0.014 inch guide wire includes a polymeric balloon having a body portion with an inflated outer diameter of more than 6 millimeters. An inflatable balloon includes an inflated outer diameter to inner waist diameter ratio of 12.5 to 1. An inflatable polymeric balloon that has a body portion with two regions that have different molecular orientations is also provided. A method of processing an elongate polymeric material includes heating a portion of the polymeric material with a laser while longitudinally stretching the portion of the polymeric material. A method of manufacturing a balloon includes heating and longitudinally stretching a first and second portion of an elongate polymeric tube to form first and second end portion. The remaining body portion is radially expanded to form the balloon.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag may include a sidewall that may have a plurality of first and second ribs formed therein. The first ribs may be longer in length but shorter in height than the second ribs. The second ribs may be arranged in discrete networks that appear superimposed over the first ribs. The second ribs may normally remain in a bent-over configuration. When a force is applied, the second ribs may expand the area of the sidewall so that the bag may easily accommodate large objects. To produce the bag, a thermoplastic web may be directed between opposing first and second rollers. One of the rollers may include ridges that may have first and second segments of differing heights that correspond to the differing heights of the first and second ribs. The formation of the first ribs may increase the width of the web.