Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoplastic plastic film. According to said method, the thermoplastic plastic is melted and transported in an extrusion installation comprising an extruder, an extrusion nozzle with a wide-slot delivery opening and a chill roll, which is fixed to a roll system and then leaves the delivery opening of the extrusion nozzle in the form of a flat melted web. Said melted web is then applied to the chill roll and is cooled. The invention is characterised in that it uses an extrusion installation, in which the distance between the delivery opening of the extrusion nozzle and the surface of the cooled roll does not vary by more than +/?50 ?m during the operating time. The invention also relates to a film of this type and to uses of the latter.

Abstract: A separation matrix comprises a porous surface layer; and a bulk porous support, wherein both the porous surface layer and the bulk porous support comprising a block copolymer. The block copolymer comprises A-B or A-B-A repeating units, wherein A and B at each occurrence are two different blocks of oligomer, or polymer. A structural unit of block A is derived from one or more atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)-active monomer or oligomer and a structural unit of block B is derived from a thermoplastic ATRP-active macro initiator. A poly dispersity index of the block copolymer is at least about 2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming nonwoven melt spun webs by spinning a curtain of filaments into a pressurized chamber where they are contacted with pressurized quenching fluid, then using the fluid to draw the filaments through a slot at the bottom of the chamber. The slot is a narrow two dimensional impingement point running the length of the filament curtain where the pressurized quench fluid passes through, escaping to atmosphere. The fluid pressure (potential) energy in the chamber is exchanged for velocity (kinetic) energy at the slot impingement point. The fast moving stream of fluid inside and exiting the slot acts to pull, or draw the filaments through the slot. The fluid and fiber stream is deposited onto a porous collection conveyor belt, forming a fleece web. The invention is more efficient, less complicated, easier to maintain and easier to control than prior systems for melt spinning nonwoven webs.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite compositions having a matrix of polymer networks and dispersed phases of particulate or fibrous materials. The matrix is filled with a particulate phase, which can be selected from one or more of a variety of components, such as fly ash particles, axially oriented fibers, fabrics, chopped random fibers, mineral fibers, ground waste glass, granite dust, or other solid waste materials. A system for providing shape and/or surface features to a moldable material includes, in an exemplary embodiment, at least two first opposed flat endless belts spaced apart a first distance, with each having an inner surface and an outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube film includes a substrate holder, a bar supplying device, a carrier device, and a stretching device arranged in alignment in that order. A method for making a carbon nanotube film is further provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to composite compositions having a matrix of polymer networks and dispersed phases of particulate or fibrous materials. The matrix is filled with a particulate phase, which can be selected from one or more of a variety of components, such as fly ash particles, axially oriented fibers, fabrics, chopped random fibers, mineral fibers, ground waste glass, granite dust, or other solid waste materials. A system for providing shape and/or surface features to a moldable material includes, in an exemplary embodiment, at least two first opposed flat endless belts spaced apart a first distance, with each having an inner surface and an outer surface.

Abstract: A porous nonwoven web and method of making are disclosed, wherein the web contains meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein.

Abstract: A molded respirator and method of making are disclosed, wherein the molded respirator is made from a porous nonwoven web containing meltblown fibers and staple fibers. The meltblown fibers may be present as a bimodal mixture of microfibers and mesofibers, and comprise an intermingled mixture with staple fibers further intermingled therein. The molded respirator may also contain at least one secondary filtration layer.

Abstract: In a feed block, a main conduit and sub conduits are formed. High-viscosity dope flows through the main conduit, and low-viscosity dope flows through the sub conduits. Distribution pins are disposed in a joint portion where the sub conduits intersect with the main conduit for controlling the flow volume of the low-viscosity dope. A tapered cutout is formed in the peripheral surface of the distribution pin. The distribution pin is attached in such an orientation that a wider side of the cutout coincides with the lower reaches of a dope flow. Since ledges are formed in both ends of the cutout, the amount of the low-viscosity dope flowing through the cutout is smaller in both widthwise ends than in the middle.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes an opaque web having first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. The first microreplicated structure and the second microreplicated structure retain registration within 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A beaded preform includes a plurality of adjacently positioned beads for forming a plurality of voids in an engineered material. The beaded preforms may be comprised of a filaments (single strand of beads) and mats (two-dimensional and three dimensional arrays of beads). The filaments and mats may be coated to become tows and laminates, respectively, which may then be assembled into composite materials. The preforms may be produced using novel manufacturing apparatuses and methods, and incorporated into known manufacturing processes to produce porous structures, including stress-steering structures, in any material including metals, plastics, ceramics, textiles, papers, and biological materials, for example.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a cellulose acylate film having high thickness precision and no streaks can be formed by producing a film with a cellulose acylate resin by means of the polishing roller method, and a high-performance optical film, which is free from the retardation distribution, can be produced by subsequently stretching the cellulose acylate film thus obtained within a magnification range from 1 or more and 2.5 or less.

Abstract: Arrangement for manufacturing a web-shaped packaging laminate, comprising an extruder arranged so as to extrude a film of polymer material down into a nip between a cooling roll and a counter-roll, and also means of introducing at least one other layer of the packaging laminate into the said nip for joining the film together with the layer. According to the invention, the arrangement comprises an arrangement for covering the cooling roll with a surface layer of a water-based composition comprising a dry matter content. The invention also relates to the method for manufacturing the web-shaped packaging laminate, in which the composition is transferred as a thin layer to the film of polymer material in the nip, while the film of polymer material is still hot.

Abstract: A thermal bonding pattern for nonwoven fabric possessing improved abrasion resistance while retaining softness, comprising a basket-weave pattern or other pattern having a transition area (2) equal to at least 10% of bonding spot area (1) in FIG. 3, more preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 50% of bonding spot area (1), and most preferably a transition area (2) equal to at least 100% of bonding spot area.

Abstract: The invention relates to film products containing desired levels of active components and methods of their preparation. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. Desirably, the films may be exposed to temperatures above that at which the active components typically degrade without concern for loss of the desired activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the film products and methods of their preparation that demonstrate a non-self-aggregating uniform heterogeneity. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. The films contain a polymer component, which includes polyethylene oxide optionally blended with hydrophilic cellulosic polymers. Desirably, the films also contain a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent with no more than a 10% variance of the active agent pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent per unit area of the film.

Abstract: A method of producing a paperless gypsum/fiber board from a mixture including reinforcing material particles, calcined gypsum and water. A headbox feeds the mixture into a panel forming area (forming pond) over the upper surface of a continuous forming fabric to form a panel mat. Also, a reinforcing mesh is fed over a transverse member, located over a portion of the forming fabric, and into the forming pond to embed the mesh in the mixture. At least a portion of a downstream end of the transverse member is under a downstream portion of the headbox or downstream of the headbox. Then the panel mat is pressed, the calcined gypsum of the pressed panel mat is rehydrated, and the resulting board is dried.

Abstract: An aqueous sericin solution and a polar organic solvent are mixed together to prepare a sericin-containing solution, then the sericin-containing solution is added into a synthetic resin solution, followed by drying, to produce an synthetic leather wherein sericin is present as discrete particles of not larger than 3 ?m in diameter within the synthetic resin of a skin layer almost uniformly at least 1.0×106 particles per square centimeter. The skin layer of the synthetic leather has a soft and moist touch like that of the natural leather and is superior in moisture absorbing and releasing properties and further superior in processing stability.

Abstract: The invention relates to film products containing desired levels of active components and methods of their preparation. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. Desirably, the films may be exposed to temperatures above that at which the active components typically degrade without concern for loss of the desired activity.

Abstract: A method for providing embedded vinyl products comprises applying design material to a bottom or a top surface of a liquid vinyl substrate. When applying to the bottom surface liquid vinyl substrate, the design materials are applied to a conveyor and the vinyl substrate layer is applied over the design material. When applying to an exposed top layer of the vinyl substrate, the design material is applied so that at least a portion of it remains visible from the top surface of the exposed layers so that it creates a design therein.

Abstract: Multilayer meltblown composites, articles made therefrom, and methods for making same. The meltblown composite can include a first meltblown layer comprising one or more resins having an Ultimate Elongation (UE) of from about 50% to about 250%, as measured according to ASTM D412; and a second meltblown layer comprising a propylene-?-olefin copolymer having an ethylene content of about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %; a MFR (ASTM-1238D, 2.16 kg, 230° C.) of about 10 g/10 min to about 30 g/10 min; and a heat of fusion of 75 J/g or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nonwoven mat as half-stuff which contains a high performance thermoplast as melt fiber and a reinforcing fiber, and also a method for producing a nonwoven mat of this type and fiber composites produced from the nonwoven mat.

Abstract: Methods of forming a sheet-form product can include: providing a forming surface having a multiplicity of inwardly extending forming cavities; forming a multi-layer sheet in the interior of which is a parting surface defined by materials of limited compatibility, material of the sheet lying on each side of the parting surface having peelable tensile strength; pressing the multi-layer sheet against the forming surface to cause the multi-layer sheet to substantially conform to and fill the cavities; and peeling the multi-layer sheet apart at the parting surface, whereby material directly engaging the forming surface defines a sheet-form member having a multiplicity of hollow formations.

Abstract: A multilayer film comprises at least 3 layers including a first outer layer, a second outer layer and between the first and second outer layers at least one core layer. The first and second outer layers each comprise at least about 75 weight percent of (a) at least one high impact polystyrene (HIPS) component. The at least one core layer comprises (b) at least one styrene block copolymer that is present at a concentration of at least about 2 weight percent of the polymers in the film; and-polymers (a), (b) and (c) at least one general purpose polystyrene having a weight-average molecular weight of more than 200,000 grams per mole and 350,000 grams per mole or less and that is present at a concentration of at least about 10 weight percent and up to at most about 50 weight percent of the polymers in the composition account for 100 percent by weight of the polymers in the polymer composition excluding polymeric additives.

Abstract: Tough decorative printable film products having holographic-type images are provided that are low in cost. These film products include a relatively high temperature film that is made by continuous extrusion of the film resin onto a master film having pre-etched holographic-type imaging in order to provide a high-temperature primary film with conforming holographic imaging. This primary film provides a tough holographic-type image that is readily secured to any number of products to impart a holographic character to them. For example, this primary film is suitable for use on the surface of recreational sportsboards. When desired, sublimation printing can be used to impart indicia, text, images and colors, alone or in combination, to the primary film.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

Abstract: A method for making a printing blanket having an outer lithographic layer and at the back, on the side opposite to the lithographic layer, a layer made of polymer material, entails providing polymer material that can be rectified, and then rectifying the polymer material to help control a thickness of the blanket. The invention is useful in the field of printing machines.

Abstract: A primary dope is obtained by mixing a solvent and a polymer, and an additive is added to the primary dope, and thus a second dope for a main layer, a first dope for a contact layer and a third dope for an exposure layer are prepared. Only in the second dope is contained at least one of retardation controller, UV absorbing agent and deterioration inhibitor. The first-third dopes are cast from a casting die onto a casting belt to form a casting film of a three layer structure having the base, contact and exposure layers. Since the volatile compound is contained in the main layer, a precipitation of the volatile compounds on a surface of a produced film is prevented.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for manufacturing sheet material. In one representative embodiment, a sheet of fabric material is positioned across a patterning template that has a number of openings; and the sheet of fabric material and the patterning template are fed through an extrusion device in which extrusion material coats the fabric material and forces the fabric material into the openings in the patterning template, thereby producing a composite sheet material.

Abstract: A method is provided including a step of preparing a base member; a step of preparing a metal mold which comprises a reference surface and plural projection-shaping die parts which have ring-like protruding sections projecting from a reference surface and surrounding hollow spaces which are shaped to match with the profiles of the projections; a step of placing a thermoplastic or thermosetting sheet-like molding material on the base member; a step of pressing the metal mold against the molding material placed on the base member, pressurizing the molding material at least with the ring-like protruding sections and accordingly bonding the molding material thus pressurized with the ring-like protruding sections to the base member, and forming and shaping projections from the molding material which is opposed against the insides of the hollow spaces surrounded by the ring-like protruding sections; and a step of leaving on the base member the molding material which is opposed against the plural projection-shaping

Abstract: A process for producing fiber-reinforced structural cementitious panels made of at least one layer of fiber reinforced cementitious slurry, the process for each such layer of slurry including providing a moving web; depositing a first layer of individual, loose fibers upon the web; depositing a layer of settable slurry upon the deposited first layer of individual, loose fibers; depositing a second layer of individual, loose fibers upon the deposited layer of settable slurry; and actively embedding both layers of individual, loose fibers into the layer of slurry to distribute the fibers throughout the slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to the film products and methods of their preparation that demonstrate a non-self-aggregating uniform heterogeneity. Desirably, the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film. The films contain a polymer component, which includes polyethylene oxide optionally blended with hydrophilic cellulosic polymers. Desirably, the films also contain a pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent with no more than a 10% variance of the active agent pharmaceutical and/or cosmetic active agent per unit area of the film.

Abstract: The invention discloses high clarity multilayer films that are easy to tear in the transverse direction, wherein the core layer is made of a blend of from 5 to 50 wt % of crystal polystyrene and from 95 to 50 wt % of transparent styrene-butadiene block copolymer (5-40 wt % 1,3-butadiene, 60-95 wt % styrene) and the outer layers comprise from 85 to 100 wt % of a metallocene catalysed polyethylene (density:0.915-0.960 g/cm3, MI2:0.

Abstract: A continuous forming apparatus for molding foam material into foam products that includes a first endless belt and a second endless belt that cooperates with the first endless belt to mold the foam material. The continuous forming apparatus may also include a first plurality of cleats and a second plurality of cleats opposed to the first plurality of cleats that support the first endless belt and the second endless belt respectively. The first plurality of cleats may include a three-dimensional abutment surface that provides transverse and lateral support to the first endless belt. Additionally, the continuous forming apparatus may include a first frame disposed to support the first plurality of cleats, a second frame disposed to support the second plurality of cleats, and a drive mechanism for imparting motion to the first endless belt, the second endless belt, the first plurality of cleats, and the second plurality of cleats.

Abstract: A continuous process for coating ePTFE with polymer wherein a first coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on a moving elongate substrate, elongate ePTFE is contacted with the coated substrate to form an inchoate composite structure, and a final coating of fluoropolymer-containing liquid medium is formed on the inchoate composite structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanofiber web preparing apparatus and method via electro-blown spinning. The nanofiber web preparing method includes feeding a polymer solution, which is a polymer dissolved into a given solvent, toward a spinning nozzle, discharging the polymer solution via the spinning nozzle, which is charged with a high voltage, while injecting compressed air via the lower end of the spinning nozzle, and collecting fiber spun in the form of a web on a grounded suction collector under the spinning nozzle, in which both of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins are applicable, the solution does not need to be heated and electrical insulation is readily realized.

Abstract: A method for forming a fastener product includes folding a sheet material about a longitudinal fold line to form a longitudinal edge portion overlapping only an adjacent portion of the sheet material, leaving another portion of the sheet material exposed as a remainder portion. The folded sheet material is continuously introduced to a gap adjacent to a surface of a rotating mold roll. Moldable resin is introduced between the sheet material and the mold roll to fill fixed cavities in the rotating mold roll to form portions of the fastener elements as stems bonded to one of the overlapping edge portion and the remainder portion. Additional material is bonded to the other of the overlapping edge portion and the remainder portion with the bonding occurring in the gap. The resin is solidified, then, stripped from the surface of the mold roll by pulling the stems from their respective cavities.

Abstract: A method of making a touch fastener includes continuously introducing molten resin to a pressure zone at a peripheral surface of a rotating mold roll, such that pressure in the pressure zone forces some of the resin into an array of stem cavities defined in the mold roll to form resin stems while a remainder of the resin forms a base at the roll surface, interconnecting the stems. The method includes forming engageable heads on the stems to form fastener elements and introducing a quantity of discrete, loose particles to the resin at an entrance to the pressure zone, such that the particles become part of the base.

Abstract: Solution casting of polymer film (76, 102) is provided. A dope (22, 115-117) containing a polymer of cellulose triacetate and solvent is cast on a casting support band (34, 121) which moves, to form a cast film (69, 122), and then the cast film is stripped from the casting support band and dried, to produce the polymer film. In the solution casting, the cast film is cooled shortly before stripping the cast film from the casting support band. Preferably, a cooling temperature to which the cast film is cooled is set lower than 6 deg. C. The cast film is cooled within a predetermined cooling region, disposed to start at a stripping point for the cast film, and to extend upstream therefrom with a length equal to or less than 25 % of the length of the casting support band. The cast film is blown by cooling gas caused to flow for cooling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, complete and/or partially embedded nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method that comprises the combination of two process technologies; a thin film solution casting process (tape casting, solvent casting) and an electrospinning process, in order to produce hybrid materials of thin polymer films with single, laminated, completely and/or partially embedded electrospun nanofibers to obtain products with unique functional properties. In another embodiment of the present invention, fibers and/or nanofibers of a chosen material are spun directly on to substrates of polymer solutions and/or monomers solutions, were such solutions are located on a carrier belt that is electrically and/or ionically conductive.

Abstract: A multi-layer process for producing structural cementitious panels, includes, a. providing a moving web; b. one of depositing a first layer of loose fibers upon the web and c. depositing a layer of settable slurry upon the web; d. depositing a second layer of loose fibers upon the slurry; e. embedding said second layer of fibers into the slurry; and f. repeating steps c. through e. until the desired number of layers of settable fiber-enhanced slurry in the panel is obtained. Also provided are a structural panel produced by the present process, an apparatus suitable for producing structural cementitious panels according to the present process, and a structural cementitious panel having multiple layers, each layer created by depositing a layer of settable slurry upon a moving web, depositing fibers upon the slurry and embedding the fibers into the slurry such that each layer is integrally formed with the adjacent layers.

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: The invention relates to the film products and methods of their preparation that demonstrate a non-self-aggregating uniform heterogeneity. Desirably the films disintegrate in water and may be formed by a controlled drying process, or other process that maintains the required uniformity of the film.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a coated wire, an extrusion die, a process of coating a wire and a method of testing wrinkles on covering of a coated wire. A coated wire comprises a wire core; and a covering comprising a thermoplastic composition which comprises by weight of total composition, (i) 10% to 50% of a poly(arylene ether); (ii) 5% to 25% of a polyolefin; and (iii) 15% to 45% of an impact modifier. The wrinkles presented on the covering of a coated wire manufactured by an extrusion die are substantively reduced.

Abstract: A process for making a flexible structure that includes at least a first region and a second region, each of the first and second regions having at least one common intensive property that differs in value.

Abstract: There is provided a casting drum having an outer peripheral surface provided with an electrical insulating layer. Direct-current high voltage is applied to an electrode bar disposed in an upstream side from a discharge port to discharge toward the casting drum. Bead is attracted to the charged casting drum by electrostatic attraction. Thereby, the adhesion between the bead and the casting drum is increased, and therefore the occurrence of phenomenon of air entrainment can be prevented. A wet film obtained by peeling a casting film from the casting drum is dried. Accordingly, it is possible to produce a film having few defects such as voids and high quality such as excellent smoothness at high speed and stably.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an article, such as a blow-molded bottle, formed from a polymer blend composition. In one aspect, the article is formed by blow-molding techniques. In one aspect, the article is a blow-molded container having a Bruceton Mean Drop Height of 3.8 feet or above. In another aspect, the article is a blow-molded container having a volume of 60 fluid ounces or greater. In general, the polymer blend composition comprises polypropylene and an impact modifier of metallocene-produced very low density polyethylene or linear low density polyethylene. In one embodiment, the polypropylene polymer comprises a random copolymer. In one embodiment the metallocene-catalyzed linear very low density polyethylene polymer has one or more of the following: (a) a density of less than 0.916 g/cm3, (b) a composition distribution breadth index of 50 to 85% by weight, (c) a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 2.0 to 3.0, (d) a molecular weight distribution Mz/Mw of less than 2.

Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nonwoven fabric having characteristics resembling woven and knitted fabrics is produced by extruding a plurality of plural component fibers, where each fiber includes first and second polymer components with the first polymer component having a degree of shrinkage when subjected to heat. A nonwoven web of the extruded fibers is formed on a web forming surface and bonded. The bonded web of fibers are post-bond treated to shrink at least the first polymer component and separate at least a portion of the second polymer component from the first polymer component utilizing any combination of heat, mechanical agitation and dissolving of fiber components. The resultant nonwoven fabric has a texture, drape and feel of woven and knitted fabrics.

Abstract: A closed fiber spinning system includes a spin beam assembly including a plurality of polymer distribution manifolds to independently deliver different polymer component fluid streams to a spin pack and independently maintain those fluid streams at different temperatures. The spin beam assembly in combination with the closed spinning system facilitates the production of a wide variety of multiple polymer component fiber and fabric products having a desired denier and degree of uniformity.