Abstract: Process for producing an elastomer substrate web, comprising the following process steps: a) feeding in a polymer mixture, in particular into a mixer, b) conveying the ready-prepared polymer mixture to a calender, comprising at least two rollers, c) forming the polymer mixture out in the calender into a web, d) applying an auxiliary substrate in web form by means of a pressure-exerting roller, which is in contact with the last forming calender roller, for receiving the web, and e) if appropriate, cooling, crosslinking and/or winding up the web located on the auxiliary substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing an adhesive closing element having a plurality of hook elements formed as a single piece with a support. The hook elements are rod-shaped and have enlargements at their ends. A thermoplastic synthetic material is fed into the gap between two moveable tools in a plastic or liquid state. The tools are driven such that a support is formed in the gap and displaced in a direction of conveyance. The hook elements are formed by forming elements acting on the gap. The hook elements are formed on both sides of tile support by the forming elements that are active on both sides of the gap.

Abstract: An acrylic resin film made from a composition having 95 to 50 wt. parts of an acrylic resin having a glass transition temperature of 60 to 110° C. and a weight average molecular weight of 70,000 to 600,000, and 5 to 50 wt. parts of a multilayer-structured acrylic polymer containing an elastomeric layer, and a multilayer film having the above acrylic resin film and other resin film. These films have better thickness accuracy, surface smoothness and surface hardness than conventional acrylic resin films, with excellent properties as films for use in simultaneous injection molding and lamination, agricultural films, display films, masking films, paint-substitute films, and the like.

Abstract: A method fabricates fluid flow field plates that are suitable for use in an electrochemical fuel cell assembly. Pursuant to the method, a fluid flow field channel region such as, for example, substantially straight, parallel fluid flow field channels, is roller embossed in a sheet of compressible, electrically conductive material such as, for example, expanded graphite sheet material. A fluid distribution region such as, for example, a region containing manifold openings and supply channels, is then reciprocally embossed in the sheet material. A sheet pre-impregnated with a curable polymeric composition, such as pre-impregnated expanded graphite, can be employed, with the curing step being performed after the roller embossing and reciprocal embossing steps.

Abstract: From about 50 to about 90% by weight of fibers, in particular wood fibers, and/or pellets made from cellulose or from wood, are mixed with from about 10 to about 50% by weight of a hot-curing resin, each of the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the mixture. Instead of a single resin it is also possible to use a mixture made from two or more hot-curing resins. The mixture made from fibers and/or pellets and resin is kneaded and homogenized and then passed on to an extruder which has various heating zones in which the mixture is heated. Care has to be taken here that the maximum temperature, arising at the extruder exit, does not exceed about 120° C., since above this temperature the resin(s) begin(s) to cure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming sheets, comprising a pair of drums moving a belt to define a path for curing the sheets. Uncured material preferably polychloroprene, is put on the belt and squeezed between the drum and a roller to adjust the thickness of the layer. The drums rotate at a rate to permit the material to cure between the first and the second drum. Ovens cure the polychloroprene, which is removed at the second drum. The sheet has a thickness of from at least 0.004 inches to more than 0.25 inches. A plurality of sources supply material of at least two colors to form a sheet having stripes. Preferred sheets have an elongation to break of about 150% to about 1500%, a tensile strength of about 5 Mpa to about 50 Mpa and a modulus at 300% elongation of about 1 Mpa to about 10 Mpa.

Abstract: Composite webs and methods and systems for manufacturing composite webs including a substrate with one or more discrete polymeric regions located thereon are disclosed. At least some of the discrete polymeric regions are formed of an elastomeric thermoplastic composition that is transferred to the substrate in depressions formed on a transfer roll. The discrete elastomeric polymeric regions can be used to provide elasticity to a substrate that is not elastic or they may be used to adjust the elasticity of a substrate that is itself elastic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing composite webs including a substrate with one or more discrete polymeric regions located thereon are disclosed. The discrete polymeric regions are deposited by transferring molten thermoplastic composition from depressions on a transfer roll to a substrate. Each of the discrete polymeric regions is further formed to include multiple structures formed thereon. Those structures may include, for example, stems (capped or otherwise), hooks (as part of a hook and loop fastening system), pyramids, etc.

Abstract: A polyester resin composition is calendered to produce a film or a sheet. The polyester resin composition is a polyester having a crystallization half time from a molten state of at least 5 minutes combined with an additive for preventing sticking of the polyester to calendering rolls.

Abstract: In this method, a fibrous material is embedded between the surfaces of a membrane and a dissimilar coloring material as the mating surfaces of the membrane and the coloring material are cured or cosolidify. This results in an encapsulation bond where fibers embedded in and originating from within the membrane are also embedded in and terminating within the adjacent coloring material. This method also results in delamination-resistant colored laminates comprising dissimilar layers and having a permanent and durable bond between the various layers of the composite.

Abstract: A preparation of thermal contraction sleeve is disclosed. In this method, polyethylene fibers are elongated by 850%˜1,200% and are exposed to a radiation of 2.5˜3.5 Mrads, thus being cross-linked. The first surface of a fabric sheet, made of the polyethylene fibers, is exposed to a voltage of 20,000˜25,000 V while passing over a plurality of rollers, thus being modified at the first surface. A first matrix sheet, melt-extruded at a temperature of 300° C.˜380° C., is formed on the modified first surface of the fabric sheet, prior to an integration of the first matrix sheet with the modified surface of the fabric sheet. The integration is accomplished by a first elastic roller and a first cooling roller. The second surface of the fabric sheet is processed in the same manner as that described above. A second matrix sheet is layered on the modified second surface of the fabric sheet, thus forming a fabric-matrix layered body.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-porous, breathable membrane of at least polyamide-4,6, with an elongation at rupture of about 250 to about 500% in the longitudinal direction and about 200 to about 500% in the transverse direction. The membrane has a higher heat resistance than a non-porous, breathable membrane made from polyether ester and, if it also contains an antioxidant, passes the oven/watertightness test. If the membrane is produced from a mixture of polyamide-4,6 and about 10 to about 30% by weight polyether amide, the membrane exhibits a surprisingly increased water-vapor permeability. The membrane is usable in the manufacture of thermally protective clothing.

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: The invention relates to a biaxially oriented, sealable polyester film with at least a base layer (B), with a sealable outer layer (A) and with another, nonsealable outer layer (C), where the sealable outer layer (A) has a minimum sealing temperature of not more than 110° C. and a seal seam strength of at least 1.3 N/15 mm of film width, and the topographies of the two outer layers (A) and (C) have particular characterizing features. The film of the invention is particularly suitable for use in flexible packaging and specifically in particular for use on high-speed packaging machinery.

Abstract: A method of making a high gloss, multilayered thermoplastic film by pinning the extruding the molten thermoplastic film material onto a polished casting roll having a mirror finish. The thermoplastic film produced by this method has a superior gloss finish and has a ratio of distinctness of image in the machine direction to distinctness of image in the cross direction in the range of 1.3:1 to 1.0:1, and has a 20° gloss in the machine direction and the cross direction of at least 40.

Abstract: A fastening component of a separable fastener has some portion that is necessary for its fastening function, such as the hooks, the base to which the hooks are attached or a substrate that is used for another purpose, comprised of a magnetically attractive constituent. Another portion of the fastening component is comprised of a magnetically inert constituent. The fastening element may be the hook portion or the loop portion of a typical fastener. The fastening elements and the base may be unitary, or of different precursors, such as in a woven fastener component. The magnetically inert constituent may comprise a polymeric plastic or a thermoplastic elastomer. The magnetic attractant may impregnate the magnetically inert constituent, or it may coat or be coated by the magnetically inert constituent. The magnetic attractant may comprise a metal powder. The metal may be selected from the group consisting of iron powder. The magnetic attractant may be an organo-iron or a rare earth metal.

Abstract: A plastic sheet is prepared which is a laminate sheet including one or more laminated layers or a sheet of a thick single layer at a high temperature using a polyolefin molding matrial including an inorganic filler and a polyolefin resin as a substrate material. The plastic sheet is cooled by passing between a lower endless matal belt and an upper endless metal belt disposed on top of the lower belt, each belt being disposed with tension along a loop surrounding two rolls, moving along the loop and being cooled by direct contact with cooling water.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester composition, comprising polyester and a metal salt of an aliphatic carboxylic acid, whereby a metal salt and polyester are fed together into a vented extruder as a raw material. The raw material has a specific resistance of not less than 1×107 &OHgr;·cm upon melting and a metal atom concentration of 0.5 to 1,000 ppm based on the polyester composition. This process is industrially useful for producing a polyester composition which can be used to form sheets using an electrostatic pining method.

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: A lenticular lens sheet for use as a rear projection screen, comprises a base lenticular lens sheet having a surface provided with a plurality of lenticular elements, and a surface diffusing part having minute diffusing elements. The surface diffusing part is combined with the base lenticular lens sheet by laminating a plastic film having one surface provided with the minute diffusing elements to the base lenticular lens sheet so that the minute diffusing elements lie on the surfaces of the lenticular elements or by embossing the minute diffusing elements in the surfaces of the lenticular elements of the base lenticular lens sheet with an embossing plastic film having a surface of a shape complementary to the minute diffusing elements.

Abstract: A strip casting device (2) has a casting container (14) from which through a casting gap (15) two different masses (12, 13) of a material flowable with the addition of heat are poured out as a strip (3) onto a cooling device (4). The second mass (13) is at the same time ejected by way of injection nozzles (21, 22) into the region of the casting gap (15) into the casting flow of the first mass (12). The injection nozzles are preferably movable in various directions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic structure as well as a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material incorporating a continuous woven fiber and a discontinuous fiber pre-ceramic matrix for subsequent curing and component construction. The method includes preparation of a mixture of discontinuous fibers, fillers, and a pre-ceramic precursor resin where the precursor resin is present in a quantity sufficient to substantially saturate subsequently adjacent woven fiber lengths, and thereafter introducing the mixture to a situs between an upper length of woven fiber and a lower length of woven fiber in alignment with each other while effectuating linear movement of these woven fiber lengths and moving the lengths toward each other for compression and retention in a sandwich configuration to thereby fabricate a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material. The material is cut to size in accord with the configuration of a part to be manufactured, formed into a green-state structure, and cured.

Abstract: An exterior automotive quality paint coat is laminated to the surface of a plastic car body member of panel. A dry paint transfer film is first laminated to a relatively thin semi-rigid thermoformable resinous backing sheet. The backing sheet side of the resulting laminate is then laminated to a relatively thick thermoformable substrate sheet of the same or a compatible polymeric material. The two sheets are joined by extruding the thick substrate sheet and using the heat of extrusion to then laminate the thin backing sheet to the thicker extruded substrate sheet. The resulting thick sheet laminate is then thermoformed, preferably by first heating the laminate to a forming temperature, followed by vacuum forming the laminate to a three-dimensional shape of the finished automotive part, such as a fascia, ready to put on a vehicle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a ceramic structure as well as a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material incorporating a continuous woven fiber and a discontinuous fiber pre-ceramic matrix for subsequent curing and component construction. The method includes preparation of a mixture of discontinuous fibers, fillers, and a pre-ceramic precursor resin where the precursor resin is present in a quantity sufficient to substantially saturate subsequently adjacent woven fiber lengths, and thereafter introducing the mixture to a situs between an upper length of woven fiber and a lower length of woven fiber in alignment with each other while effectuating linear movement of these woven fiber lengths and moving the lengths toward each other for compression and retention in a sandwich configuration to thereby fabricate a pre-ceramic preimpregnated composite material. The material is cut to size in accord with the configuration of a part to be manufactured, formed into a green-state structure, and cured.

Abstract: An exterior automotive trim product, and method of making the same. In certain embodiments, a color pigmented thermoplastic layer is provided. A transparent clear coat is calendared to the color pigmented layer to form a composite or laminate. The laminate is subsequently vacuum-formed into a three dimensional shape approximating the desired shape of a final trim product. The vacuum-formed laminate is then inserted into an injection molding device, and semi-molten resin injected into the mold cavity behind the laminate. The resin fuses with the vacuum-formed laminate with the result being the final automotive trim product. Thus, no spray painting or spraying of solvents is required, and burdensome dry paint transfer techniques may be avoided.