Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ultra-thin polymeric film is disclosed. The method includes the steps of melt blending of a polymeric composition or a nanocomposite composition in an extruder. Next, the molten composition is conveyed through a flat die with a small die lip gap. A melt pump may also be used to provide a constant, non-pulsating flow of the melted composition through the die. The melted composition may be passed through a filtration device to remove contaminants that could adversely affect the dielectric performance of the film. Next, the film is stretched by passing the film through take-up rollers at relatively high take-up speeds. Then, the composition is cooled to form a film or sheet. The edges of the film may be trimmed, and the film wound up on a roll using a tension-controlled winding mechanism. A heated roll may be used to temper/anneal the film, thereby eliminating frozen-in internal stresses.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising poly-glycolic acid (PGA) or a functional derivative thereof with a tensile strength of at least 1200 MPa are disclosed. Processes suitable for manufacturing said compositions are also described, comprising rendering PGA into an amorphous state then drawing to form a highly orientated polymer structure. The polymer compositions can be used to make artefacts, for example sutures, or used in combination with other polymers or non-polymeric substances to produce other artefacts, for example medical devices suitable for implantation into the human body. Processes for the production of said artefacts are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure, the method including steps of: forming, by extrusion, a formed body 1 having an outer wall, partition walls provided inside the outer wall, and cells each surrounded by the partition walls as well as extending to an axial direction of the body; and drying the formed body 1.

Abstract: A laminate film including a first polyolefin heat sealable matte resin layer including a blend of 15-30 wt % metallocene-catalyzed butene-propylene elastomer and 85-70 wt % of a matte resin including ethylene homopolymer and propylene homopolymer or copolymer is disclosed. The laminate film could further have additional layers such as a second polyolefin resin-containing layer, a metal layer, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A product made from an extruded sheet or web of material having a non-linear cross-section, and the process of making the product is provided. The extruded web or extrudate is plastically deformed in selected areas and then folded. When folded into the appropriate shape, the extrudate is formed into a product having a plurality of cells. Optionally, the cells can include one or more openings, allowing access to an interior of the cell and reducing the weight of the product.

Abstract: A building product which includes a hollow extrudate, unitary reinforcing ribs resisting collapse of the hollow extrudate and, in an embodiment, an exterior surface comprises a low gloss, textured pattern having a gloss level of less than about 50 on a 60° glossmeter, in which the textured pattern extends for about 2-20 feet. Methods and an apparatus for manufacturing such products are also provided by this invention.

Abstract: A polarizing plate protective film manufacturing method, comprises: preparing a mixture containing a cellulose ester, a triazine ring compound, a phenol compound and a compound represented by Formula (L); heating and melting the mixture; and casting the melted mixture to form a film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hydrolytically stable polyamide membrane having an open-pored, microporous and sponge-like support-layer structure, using a process involving thermally induced liquid-liquid phase separation. A solution of an aliphatic polyamide in a solvent system, comprising preferably a solvent and a non-solvent for the polyamide, is extruded to form a shaped object. After leaving the die, the shaped object is cooled by means of a cooling medium until phase separation occurs and the polymer-rich phase solidifies to form the membrane structure. The solution of the polyamide in the solvent system contains an antioxidant agent as a stabiliser for the polyamide which, together with the solvent system, is selected in a way that the antioxidant agent is essentially insoluble in the solvent system at the phase separation temperature.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes having a skinned surface on one diameter, and a porous surface on the opposite diameter are produced from perfluorinated thermoplastic polymers by extruding a heated solution of the polymer having a low critical solution temperature directly into a cooling bath to form the porous membrane by liquid-liquid phase separation. Extrusion can be conducted either vertically or horizontally. The hollow fiber membranes are useful as ultrafiltration membranes and as membrane contactors.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic resin rod (wire), comprising: an extruding step of extruding a synthetic resin rod; a pre-cooling step of spraying a cooling medium on the rod to pre-cool the rod extruded down to a temperature (T° C.) satisfying the following condition: T?{(a softening point of the synthetic resin)+5} [° C.]; and a main cooling step of letting the rod thus pre-cooled pass through water to cool the rod.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous line process for making a pre-formed object having a plurality of surfaces comprising the steps of: (1) providing a sol phase of the composition comprising a solvent and a gelling agent having a sol-gel transition point between about the melting point of the solvent and about the boiling point of the solvent; (2) forming surfaces of the sol phase composition by passing through a surface forming system, the surface forming system pressing the sol phase composition between a plurality of liners; (3) cooling the sol phase composition into a gel phase; and (4) cutting the gel phase composition; wherein the pre-formed object is free of a supporting substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making an image-recording element, for example a dye-receiving element for thermal dye transfer, that includes a support having on one side thereof a image-receiving layer and, between the image-receiving layer and the support, a tie layer comprising a thermoplastic antistat polymer. In one embodiment, the process comprises (a) forming a first melt of a polymer for the surface layer and a second melt comprising a thermoplastic antistat polymer in a polymeric binder; (b) coextruding the two melts onto a polyolefin support; (c) stretching the coextruded layers to reduce the thickness; and (d) applying the coextruded melts to a support while simultaneously reducing the temperature below the Tg of the composition of the surface layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of making an image-recording element comprising a support having thereon an image-receiving layer, wherein the process comprises forming a melt of a polyester material, extruding the melt, and applying the extruded melt to the support for the image-receiving element. The polyester material used for the extruded melt comprises a polyester comprising recurring dibasic acid derived units and polyol derived units, at least 50 mole % of the dibasic acid derived units comprising dicarboxylic acid derived units containing an alicyclic ring, and at least 30 mole % of the polyol derived units containing an aromatic ring not immediately adjacent to each hydroxyl group of the corresponding polyol, 25 to 75 mole % of the polyol derived units of the polyester are non-aromatic, and at least 0.

Abstract: An elastically stretchable nonwoven fabric including thermoplastic elastomer filaments; the filaments being heat-sealed and/or mechanically intertwined together to form the nonwoven fabric that has crimped regions and non-crimped regions wherein each of the crimped regions has fine crimps in the rate of 50/cm or higher.

Abstract: The invention herein provides a method to improve retention of tensile properties upon aging in poly(trimethylene terephthalate) cast film. The method involves first nucleating the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) resin prior to film formation and controlling the quench temperature during casting of the film. The quench temperature should be controlled to a temperature in the range of from about 10° C. below the Tg of the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) to about 15° C. above the Tg of the poly(trimethylene terephthalate).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width. In another embodiment the invention is a method for of producing generally cylindrical hollow filaments comprising extruding a polymer melt through a spinneret having first and second curved slots where each slot has a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by a intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width along the continuum defined by the distance between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a cryogen for cooling articles, particularly having applications for chilling extrusions, food, and similar articles, utilizing dispersion of liquid cryogen into a feed chamber wherein it is substantially vaporized and then circulated through a cooling chamber containing the article to be cooled. A circulation device can circulate the vaporized cryogen through the cooling chamber, or through the article, at a variably controllable velocity to enhance the cooling efficiency using the principle of forced air convection and to provide improved temperature control in the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides poly(trimethylene terephthalate) copolymerized with ester-forming sulfonate and a fiber thereof. The polymer of the present invention is high in melting point, small in loss of melting viscosity and has a high molecular weight. The fiber of the present invention is high in toughness, excellent in whiteness and dyeable with a cationic dye, whereby it is useful for clothing, carpets or non-woven sheets, etc.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing segmented polyurethanes having improved processing characteristics in the melt state and an efficient spinning process based thereon to form highly elastic, fine linear density elastane yarn and filament having improved mechanical and thermal properties by using hydroxyalkyl-terminated polysiloxanes in combination with specific crosslinking-capable polyisocyanates in the reaction of long-chain high molecular weight polyhydroxy compounds with organic diisocyanates and low molecular weight diols and also optionally further auxiliary and additive substances in the melt.

Abstract: Solvent-resistant polybenzimidazole membranes, methods of making them and crosslinking them and composite membranes and hollow fiber membrane modules from them are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing self-texturing hollow fiber that exhibits a desirable tendency to coil rather than to bend sharply or zig-zag. In one embodiment the invention is a spinneret for the production of hollow filament having first and second curved slots where each slot is defined by a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by an intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width. In another embodiment the invention is a method for of producing generally cylindrical hollow filaments comprising extruding a polymer melt through a spinneret having first and second curved slots where each slot has a first end having a first width and a second end having a second width and where the first and second ends are separated by a intermediate portion possessing a non-uniform width along the continuum defined by the distance between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a plastic pipe from recycled crushed PET starting material includes kneading the starting material under the influence of heat while removing moisture therefrom so as to prevent hydrolysis of the PET material and thereafter feeding the mixture to an extruder and passing the extruded mixture to a corrugator while cooling at a temperature gradient of between −10° C./min and −50°/min so as to form a crystalline plastic pipe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for cooling extruded and molded materials. The present invention is especially useful to thoroughly cool an extrudate by directing a cooling fluid toward a surface of the extrudate (e.g., an interior surface that defines a hollow portion of an extrudate). Hollows may be created in order to reduce material, weight, and/or processing time. A cooling fluid is diverted toward the surface of the extrudate so as to cool the material and assist in solidification. A baffle may serve to divert the cooling fluid in the desired direction. Increases in production line throughput may result by rapidly cooling the molded material. In addition, the more efficient cooling may be achieved with a lesser amount of the cooling fluid, and the velocity and temperature of the cooling fluid may be reduced. Other uses for the present invention include injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, and co-extrusion.

Abstract: A method of drying saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers which includes melting and kneading a mixture including one or more saponified ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer species and having a water content of 5 to 60% by weight until the mixture has a water content of less then 5% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat shrinkable polyester film whose hot water shrinkage along its main shrinkage direction is equal to or greater than 20% when the film is put in hot water of 70° C. for 5 sec; 35% to 55% when put in hot water of 75° C. for 5 sec; and 50% to 60% when put in hot water of 80° C. for 5 sec, wherein the compressive strength of the label formed by the film satisfies a following expression (1): Y>X2.2  (1) where y denotes compressive strength (mN) and x denotes film thickness (&mgr;m).

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 method of making a polyimide layer containing fluorinated carbon therein includes subjecting a layer comprised of a polyimide precursor material and the fluorinated carbon to a first heating at a temperature less than about 400° C. for at least about 1 minute, and thereafter subjecting the layer to a second heating at a temperature greater than about 400° C. for at least about 1 minute, whereby the polyimide precursor is imidized to a polyimide. The polyimide layer finds particular utility as a substrate of a transfer member or a transfix member of an electrostatographic imaging device.

Abstract: A polyester film is disclosed, exhibiting a minimum value of not more than 0.15 with respect to the tan &dgr; value obtained at a frequency of 0.01 Hz within the range of 100 to 160° C., the tan &dgr; being determined in a tensile viscoelasticity measurement. A photographic support and photothermographic material using this polyester film are also disclosed, which exhibits superior dimensional stability even when subjected to thermal development at a high temperature and little roll set curl when used in a roll form.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing gas barrier film, in which the coating film produced has excellent, oxygen gas barrier properties and is influenced little by moisture. The method comprises extruding a polyvinyl alcohol which contains not more than 19 mol % of &agr;-olefin units with not more than 4 carbon atoms, onto a substrate film, then stretching it at least 3-fold and subjecting it to heat treatment at a temperature not lower than 120° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for the high speed extrusion of profile ele-ments for home storage units such as reclosable thermoplastic bags. Interlocking elements or plastic zipper strips are extruded directly into a waterbath to be quenched, and drawn through said bath for a distance sufficient to cool said elements to below the softening point of the extruded material. Collection rates of from about 200 to about 350 linear feet per minute are achieved by passing the elements through a depth of at least 3 feet of water prior to their first contact with a solid handling element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and process for improving the properties of braided ligature by hot stretching the braid.

Abstract: The invention provides synthetic polymeric fibers which have utility as temporary acquisition/distribution absorbent structures and permanent storage/distribution absorbent structures in a wide range of absorbent products such as diapers, feminine napkins, and adult incontinent pads. These fibers are short, highly distorted, and bulky characterized by lengths between 2 and 37 mm, short-range distortion factors between 5 and 70, long-range distortion factors between 0.05 and 0.9, and single fiber bulk factors between 0.5 and 10.0. They may or may not have capillary channels on the surface. The advantages of these materials are their increased absorbency, reduced wet collapse at low densities, reduced rewet, reduced loss of liquid under pressure, and their ability to be desorbed by distribution materials such as capillary channeled fibers or by conventional storage materials such as fluff pulp or superabsorbent polymer fiber or powder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to biaxially oriented polymeric films. Specifically, the present invention is directed to biaxially oriented polyethylene films having unidirectional tear characteristics in machine direction and method thereof. The film of the present invention consists of (1) a core layer of medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and optionally a cavitating agent; and (2) at least one skin layer on at least one surface of the core layer. The skin layer is also made from a polyethylene. The core and skin layers coextensively adhere to one another and are biaxially oriented in both machine and traverse directions.

Abstract: An extrusion process and apparatus is described for the manufacture of a thermoplastic resin-filler composite product having a desired resin-filler mixture comprised of 60-20% by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 40-80% by weight of a filler. A resin-filler mixture, in homogeneous form, is extruded through a die at a temperature above the softening point of the resin to form an extrudate having a desired cross-sectional shape. The extrudate is then passed through a die land at a temperature of above the softening point. From the die land the extrudate is cooled in a cooled shaper and transferred thereto through a thermal barrier insert member which is disposed in contact between the die land and the cooled shaper whereby radial pressure to counteract radial expansion tendencies of the extrudate is maintained during the passage. The cooled shaper cools the extrudate to a temperature of about at least 20° C. below the softening point of the resin.

Abstract: A process for producing a fluoroplastic drawn molded article is disclosed in which a fluoroplastic molded article is brought into contact with a heating medium set at a temperature exceeding the static melting point of the molded article and drawn at a temperature at which the molded article does not substantially melt. The fluoroplastic drawn molded article produced in accordance with the present invention is significantlly improved in physical properties such as tensile strength and tensile modulus.

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: The present invention provides a heat shrinkable polyester film whose hot water shrinkage along its main shrinkage direction is equal to or greater than 20% when the film is put in hot water of 70° C. for 5 sec; 35% to 55% when put in hot water of 75° C. for 5 sec; and 50% to 60% when put in hot water of 80° C. for 5 sec, wherein the compressive strength of the label formed by the film satisfies a following expression (1): Y>X2.2??(1) where y denotes compressive strength (mN) and x denotes film thickness (?m).