Abstract: Exterior finishing panels are provided which contain an elongated, thermoplastic sheet which is supported by a rigid support member disposed along a portion of the length of the sheet. The rigid support member has a flexural modulus which is significantly greater than the modulus of the thermoplastic sheet, so as to support the panel during handling and installation. The panels of this invention will be more kink-resistant, and will ride uneven walls better to present a flatter-looking finished wall surface. These panels are also capable of being worked with ordinary hand tools, such as a standard wood saw made of steel or carbide.

Abstract: A process of preparing multilayer sheet made of an outer layer comprising polyethylene, a finely granulated material and a pigment, a middle layer comprising polyethylene, which may contain a finely granulated material and a pigment, and an inner layer which contains a polyethylene and which may also contain a filler and a pigment. The multilayer sheet feels like and has at least some of the properties of paper.

Abstract: Book covers and a substantially transparent, coextruded matte, bilayer nylon film which is contact transparent to a paper stock to form a soft book cover having high scratch, abrasion and mar resistance, a soft feel and good moisture curl properties. A substantially transparent, coextruded film which has a first nylon layer attached adjacent to a second nylon layer, the first nylon layer has from about 20 weight percent to about 70 weight percent of a refractory filler based on the weight of the first nylon layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a matte surface film comprising: (a) a base layer comprising high density polyethylene (HDPE); and (b) a matte surface layer comprising a blend of two or more incompatible polyolefins. In preferred embodiments, the matte surface layer comprises (i) a propylene homopolymer or propylene interpolymer and (ii) an ethylene homopolymer or ethylene interpolymer. The film possesses easy and improved cuttability and may be used for packaging and label applications.

Abstract: An in-mold decorating label, which comprises a thermoplastic resin film substrate layer (I) having provided on its backside a heat-sealable resin layer (II), the heat-sealable resin layer (II) containing a polyethylenic resin and at least one of (i) a fatty acid amide having a molecular weight of 300 or more and (ii) an organic or inorganic fine powder having an average particle size larger than thickness of the heat-sealable resin layer (II). This label for use in in-mold decorating has excellent feeding and discharging properties upon printing and workability during sheeting, which facilitates insertion of the label into a metal mold during in-mold decorating, and provides a label-laminated container which does not suffer from blister generation and has a large welding force between the container and the label.

Abstract: A highly oriented, heat-shrinkable, multi-layer film comprising a layer a) comprising a polyamide and an outer heat-sealing layer b) comprising a polyolefin, which film has been oriented at a stretching ratio ≧ about 3.0:1 in the machine direction and at a stretching ratio ≧ about 6.0:1 in the transverse direction, characterized in that the polyamide of layer a) is a crystalline or partially crystalline co-polyamide with a Tg≦100° C.

Abstract: A multi-layer heat resistant film laminate with good optical properties, extended shelflife, and memory characteristics and its method of manufacture, the laminate having the generalized structure of (outside) A/B/C/D/C/B/E (inside), where A is an outer moisture barrier layer, B is an intermediate adhesive layer, C is a polyamide layer D is an oxygen barrier layer, and E is a sealant layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented polypropylene film which has very good optical properties and good processing performance and which, after it has been metallized or has been coated with oxidic materials, has a high oxygen barrier value, and whose structure has at least one base layer B and at least one layer A applied to this base layer, where this layer A has a specified number of elevations of specified height and specified diameter. The invention further relates to the use of the film and to a process for its production.

Abstract: A molding for a vehicle and its manufacturing method, wherein a molding body excellent in rigidity is formed by a mixture of a hard olefin based resin and powders such as mica, talc, glass fibre, etc., and is coated with a protective film layer of an olefin based resin, excellent in resistance to scuffing and chemicals, on the exposed surface. An intermediate adhesive layer having a thermofusion bond property, which is an olefin based thermoplastic elastomer resin composition, or a styrene based thermoplastic elastomer resin composition, can be sandwiched between the hard olefin based resin of the molding body and olefin based resin of the protective film layer. The molding body, the intermediate adhesive layer if present, and the protective film layer are integrally molded by several extruders and firmly laminated as a whole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stopper for use in a substantially cylindrical bottle opening. The stopper has a substantially cylindrical shape to seal the bottle opening and includes a first polymer portion and a second material portion, wherein the second material portion coaxially overlies the first polymer portion. In another embodiment, the stopper includes a third polymer portion wherein the first polymer portion coaxially overlies the third polymer portion. The invention also relates to a method of protecting liquid in a bottle with a substantially cylindrical bottle opening. The method includes providing a stopper having a substantially cylindrical shape to seal the bottle opening and closing off the bottle by insertion of the stopper into the bottle opening. The invention also relates to a method of producing a stopper for use in a substantially cylindrical bottle opening.

Abstract: A composition containing thermoplastic elastomer and elastic fine particles is extruded into a sheet-like shape from an extruder. Then, by expanding this sheet-like shape member, a covering sheet having minute unevenness attributable to the elastic fine particles formed an the surface is produced. The covering sheet may have an adhesive layer, a substrate layer, a foamed resin layer, etc., on the opposite side to the surface having a matt feeling. Such covering sheet can be produced with good productivity without creating environmental problems such as a problem related to solvent, etc. By molding using the covering sheet, a molding having matt feeling can be obtained.

Abstract: A multi-layer tube comprises a metal tube having an outer surface and a zinc layer bonded to the metal tube outer surface, wherein the zinc layer is selected from the group consisting of zinc plating, zinc nickel alloys, zinc cobalt alloys, zinc aluminum alloys, and mixtures thereof. A surface treatment layer is bonded to the zinc layer, wherein the surface treatment layer is selected from the group consisting of a zinc/aluminum/rare earth alloy, phosphate, chromate and mixtures thereof. A first polymeric layer is bonded to the surface treatment layer, wherein the first polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, an ionomer, a nylon, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof. A second polymeric layer is bonded to the first polymeric layer, wherein the second polymeric layer is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for making a drag shield for a lawn mower includes forming from a rigid plastic material a relatively inflexible first end member adapted for secure attachment via a connecting element to an associated lawn mower deck, and a relatively inflexible second end member with a web portion extending therebetween for connecting the first and second end members. The web is formed from a rigid plastic material having a sufficiently thin and substantially uniform cross section for maintaining flexibility. The web and first and second end members are integral and provided in a single piece of rigid plastic material. The process further includes forming first and second layers of flexible plastic material on opposing sides of the web portion.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a polyethylene multilayer film starting from linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) by cast-extrusion, wherein the multilayer material coming out from a spreading head is collected on a first roller cooled with water maintained between 10° and 25° C. and the film coming out from the first cooling roller is sent to a second roller cooled with water maintained at a temperature lower than that of the first roller and the second roller has a peripheral velocity or speed of rotation 10-40% higher than that of the first roller. Multilayer film having a yield point and an ultimate elongation comprised within certain limits.

Abstract: A process for preparing thermoplastics comprising the steps of cooling an extrudate to a temperature T1, drawing the molten extrudate, relaxing the extrudate at a temperature T3 for a duration of at least the average relaxation time of the thermoplastic at the relaxation temperature, and quenching the extrudate to a temperature T4. The process enables the manufacture of films consisting of at least one propylene homopolymer with a thickness of 100 to 250 &mgr;m and having a hot shrinkage of at most 20%, a haze of less than or equal to 3% and a total transparency with respect to air of greater than 70%.

Abstract: Methods of preparing biaxially oriented polyethylene films with improved optics and sealability properties are provided. The methods include stretching in the machine direction a multi-layer base sheet having a core layer with a first and a second side, at least one skin layer and outer surfaces; then coating at least one of the outer surfaces with a resin selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylene, very low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and blends thereof, and finally, stretching the base sheet in a direction transverse to the machine direction.