Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and a device for manufacturing cellulose-based webs which are directly formed from lyocell spinning solution and in particular for the washing of directly formed cellulose webs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a wet spinning apparatus and a wet spinning method, which enable to manufacture fibers with excellent quality by controlling the flow of a coagulation liquid in a spinning bath and which enable to cope with high speed spinning (or high speed drawing). A wet spinning apparatus comprises a spinning bath at one end in which there are provided a nozzle for discharging a spinning raw liquid and coagulation liquid discharge ports and for discharging a coagulation liquid, at the other end in which there are provided a drawing roll for drawing coagulated filaments and a coagulation liquid recovery portion into which the coagulation liquid flows out. The spinning bath has a coagulation bath portion having a cross sectional area gradually reduced from one end to the other end, for coagulating the spinning raw liquid, and a filament running portion having a cross sectional area gradually enlarged from one end to the other end, for allowing the coagulated filaments to run therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for fiber excess length stable control in an optical cable loose tube, which is disposed between a loose tube extruder and a loose tube tractor. The device forms the following structures: an extrusion section connected to the extruder, a traction section connected to the tractor, and a transition section connecting the extrusion section and the traction section, where loose tube displacement generated at the extrusion section is greater than loose tube displacement generated at the traction section. The present invention provides a device for fiber excess length stable control in optical cable loose tube with a simple structure and an excellent excess length control effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to the method of the preparation of polysaccharide fibers based on hyaluronic acid, a compound comprising hyaluronic acid and metal ions, schizophylan, chitin/chitosan-glucan complex, a compound comprising chitin/chitosan-glucan complex and metal ions, internal mixture of chitin and chitosan, a compound comprising internal mixture of chitin and metal ions, sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, xanthane, xanthane sodium salt, xanthane potassium salt, oxycellulose, oxycellulose sodium salt, oxycellulose potassium salt, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt, and carboxymethyl cellulose potassium salt, or a mixture of polysaccharides, in a non-stationary coagulation bath. Further the invention relates to covers of internal and external wounds and skin defects based on these fibers, and a method of production thereof, and the apparatus for the preparation of polysaccharide fibers.

Abstract: A graphene ribbon fiber manufacturing process, where a coagulation medium flows in the same direction as the graphene ribbon fibers. The process for spinning graphene ribbon fibers starts with unzipping carbon nanotubes to form graphene ribbons, purifying and drying the graphene ribbons and subsequent dissolving of the graphene ribbons in a suitable solvent, preferably a super acid to form a spin-dope. The spin-dope is spun such that the accrued fibers are guided into a coagulation medium, also known as anti-solvent, where the spun or accrued fibers are coagulated. The coagulated graphene ribbon fibers are stripped, neutralized and washed and wound on bobbins.

Abstract: A near field electrospinning system includes a spinneret that provides a plurality of fibers and a collector positioned relative to the plurality of spinnerets. The electrospinning system also includes a coagulant flowing along the collector. The coagulant is configured to receive a plurality of fibers from the spinneret(s) and move the plurality of fibers away from the spinneret(s). The electrospinning system also includes a roller configured to collect the plurality of fibers from the coagulant as a substantially untwisted bundle of continuous fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a cellulose-based film from raw material pulp, the method including the steps of: preparing a dope from a composition comprising 5-15 wt % of a pulp having an alpha-cellulose content of more than 90% and 85-95 wt % of an aqueous N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide solution; extruding the dope from a die onto a running support; casting the extrudate to form a sheet-shaped material; washing the cast sheet with water to remove N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide therefrom; and drying the washed sheet. The method enables the cellulose-based film to be prepared from environmentally friendly wood pulp through an environmentally friendly process.

Abstract: Disclosed are wholly aromatic polyamide filament and a method of manufacturing the same, characterized by comprising multi-stage injection of a coagulant with sulfuric acid concentration lowered sequentially stage by stage, to a spun material fed into a coagulant injection tank. The present invention enables increase of a spinning and take-up velocity without occurrence of thread cutting by uniformly and evenly coagulating surface and inside of the spun material. In addition, the present invention recovers the coagulant or water already used and reuses the recovered coagulant or water in the earlier stages, so that it has advantages of saving production costs and reducing environmental contamination. Accordingly, the wholly aromatic polyamide filament produced according to the present invention has high crystallinity X, large apparent crystal size ACS and reduced defects in the crystal itself, thereby exhibiting more improved physical properties such as strength and modulus.

Abstract: An aramid fiber and a method of producing the same is disclosed, which is capable of realizing high surface uniformity and improved tensile strength and elongation property, wherein the method comprises preparing an aromatic polyamide by polymerizing aromatic diamine with aromatic diacid halide; preparing a spinning dope by dissolving the aromatic polyamide in a solvent; and extruding the spinning dope through a spinneret, and sequentially passing the spinning dope through an air gap, a coagulation bath filled with a coagulation solution, and a coagulation tube having a jet opening, connected with the bottom of the coagulation bath, to obtain a filament wherein a distance from the upper surface of the coagulation solution contained in the coagulation bath to the jet opening of the coagulation tube is within a range between 10 and 35 mm.

Abstract: A multi-channel membrane, in particular for treatment of liquids, includes at least one outer membrane surface and one inner membrane surface, which forms at least two longitudinally extending inner channels, which are enclosed by the outer membrane surface. It is proposed that the outer membrane surface and the inner membrane surface each form an actively separating layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of particles based on a thermoplastic polymer with a mean diameter of less than 1 mm. The process of the invention comprises more particularly a stage of preparation of a composition comprising the thermoplastic polymer and an additive, in the molten state, of cooling the composition and of disintegration of the thermoplastic polymer dispersion.

Abstract: Controlled geometry particles of thermoplastic polymers are prepared from compositions containing the thermoplastic polymer and two additives, in the molten state, by cooling the molten composition and disintegrating the resulting dispersion of thermoplastic polymer; powders obtained therefrom advantageously have mean particle diameters ranging from 0.1 to 800 ?m and are useful additives in, e.g., paints and coatings.

Abstract: A permselective asymmetric hollow fiber membrane for the separation of toxic mediators from blood, a process for the preparation of such a membrane, and the use of such a membrane in hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, and hemofiltration for treatment of toxic mediator-related diseases.

Abstract: An aromatic polyamide fiber comprising an aromatic polyamide containing a structural repeating unit of the following formula (1), and a structural repeating unit of the following repeating unit (2) in an amount of 30 mol % or more to the whole amount of the aromatic polyamide structural units, the fiber having strength of 20 cN/dtex or more and modulus of elongation of 500 cN/dtex or more: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 each independently represent an unsubstituted or substituted divalent aromatic group.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer yarns from ultra high molecular weight homopolymers or copolymers, wherein the process includes the following steps: (a) preparing a suspension of a homopolymer or copolymer and a spinning or gelling solvent of a non polar nature at a weight of homopolymer or copolymer to solvent ratio from 2/98 to 30/70, wherein said ultra high molecular weight homopolymer or copolymer is reactor bimodal or multimodal; (b) feeding said homopolymer or copolymer suspension to an extruder; (c) extruding said suspension under gel forming conditions, at a temperature in excess of 150° C., and under inert conditions; (d) spinning the gel obtained from the extrusion so as to obtain non-stretched filaments with diameters of at least 1 mm, at a temperature in excess of 150° C.

Abstract: Polymer yarns prepared from ultra high molecular weight homopolymers or copolymers which includes the steps of preparing a suspension of a homopolymer or copolymer and a spinning or gelling solvent, extruding the suspension with the formation of a gel, spinning the gel to obtain non-stretched filaments or yarns, cooling the non-stretched filaments or yarns, feeding the non-stretched filaments or yarns, to an extractor together with the feed of an organic extraction solvent, extracting the non-polar long chain solvent impregnated in the yarns, drying the non-stretched filament bundles or yarns, and stretching said dry yarns at a temperature in excess of 80° C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer yarns from ultra high molecular weight homopolymers or copolymers which includes the steps of preparing a suspension of a homopolymer or copolymer and a spinning or gelling solvent, extruding the suspension with the formation of a gel, spinning the gel to obtain non-stretched filaments or yarns, cooling the non-stretched filaments or yarns, feeding the non-stretched filaments or yarns, to an extractor together with the feed of an organic extraction solvent, extracting the non-polar long chain solvent impregnated in the yarns, drying the non-stretched filament bundles or yarns, and stretching said dry yarns at a temperature in excess of 80° C.

Abstract: A process for producing a plurality of high strength, high modulus aromatic polyamide filaments that includes extruding an acid solution containing at least 15% by weight of an aromatic polyamide through linearly arranged orifices in a spinneret to provide a warp of filaments, passing the warp of filaments through a layer of non-coagulating fluid into a coagulation bath and subsequently passing the warp through a spin tube, the spin tube having an elongated cross section with at least two opposite sides being parallel to the filament warp with the length of these sides being at least as long as the width of the filament warp, jetting additional coagulating liquid at a constant flow rate about the filaments in a downward direction at an angle between 15° and 75° with respect to the filaments, the jetted coagulating liquid moving downward with the warp of filaments through the spin tube at a velocity of about 50% to 100% of the velocity of the filaments, the coagulating liquid being jetted through a jet channel

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers in which a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch are blended in water to provide an aqueous gel; the aqueous gel treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; the crosslinked gel mixed with a water-miscible solvent to provide fibers; and the fibers treated with a second crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked mixed polymer composite fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of porous polymeric fibres comprising functionalized or active particles. By extruding a mixture of one or more dissolved polymers with particulate material a porous fibre is obtained in which the particulate material is entrapped. Extrusion of the fibre occurs under two-step phase inversion conditions. In particular the porous fibres can be used for the isolation of macromolecules such as peptides, proteins, nucleic acids or other organic compounds from complex reaction mixtures, in particular from fermentation broths. Another application is the immobilization of a catalyst in a reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing pellets from a plastic melt by extrusion, comprising a perforated plate from which the plastic melt is extruded at a pressure above the ambient pressure; a process chamber into which the plastic melt is extruded; a chopping device for chopping strands of the plastic melt extruded from the perforated plate into individual granules, the process chamber being filled with a process fluid; and a pumping device which supplies the process fluid to the process chamber at a pressure above the ambient pressure, the pressure of the process fluid with the therein contained granules being reduced downstream of the process chamber.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of producing chitosan non-woven fabrics and an apparatus thereof. At first, a chitosan acidic solution is extruded to form a chitosan fibrous stream. Then, a solidifying agent is ejected to form a solidifying agent stream. The solidifying agent stream and the chitosan fibrous stream are combined to form a pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Then, high-pressure air is ejected on the pre-solidified chitosan fiber to stretch the pre-solidified chitosan fiber. Finally, the chitosan fibers are collected to form chitosan non-woven fabrics.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a spinning nozzle, a fiber drawing device and a water spray device. The spinning nozzle has spinnerets and a spinning solution is filled therein. The spinning solution includes a solvent and a fiber material. The solvent includes N-Methylmorpholine N-Oxide, and the fiber material includes cellulose. The fiber drawing device is disposed under the spinning nozzle and has a gas flow generating device therein for generating a gas flow which is ejected from the top of the fiber drawing device and toward the bottom thereof. The fiber drawing device also has a slit on the top thereof, and the spinning solution from the spinning nozzle would enter the fiber drawing device through the slit. The water spray device is disposed at the slit of the fiber drawing device, and the spinning solution would pass through the water spray device before entering the fiber drawing device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining fibers and strips from colloidal particles, characterized in that it consists in: 1) dispersing said particles in a solvent optionally using a surfactant; 2) injecting the resulting dispersion solution through at least an orifice emerging into a flow of an external solution, preferably, having a higher viscosity than said dispersion, the viscosity levels being measured in the same temperature and pressure conditions, so as to cause said particles to agglomerate into fibers or strips by destabilizing the particle dispersions and optionally aligning said particles.

Abstract: A suspension of inorganic particles, a copolymer comprising soft segments and hard segments, and a solvent may be extruded through a spinnerette to produce inorganic/organic composite hollow precursor fibers. The precursor fibers may be sintered. The fibers may be utilized in a gas separation module for separation of a gas mixture or production of syngas. The fibers may be installed in the gas separation module after sintering or they may be sintered after installation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer yarns from ultra high molecular weight homopolymers or copolymers, wherein the process includes the following steps: (a) preparing a suspension of a homopolymer or copolymer and a spinning or gelling solvent of a non polar nature at a weight of homopolymer or copolymer to solvent ratio from 2/98 to 30/70, wherein said ultra high molecular weight homopolymer or copolymer is reactor bimodal or multimodal; (b) feeding said homopolymer or copolymer suspension to an extruder; (c) extruding said suspension under gel forming conditions, at a temperature in excess of 150° C., and under inert conditions; (d) spinning the gel obtained from the extrusion so as to obtain non-stretched filaments with diameters of at least 1 mm, at a temperature in excess of 150° C.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer yarns from ultra high molecular weight homopolymers or copolymers, wherein the process includes the following steps: (a1) preparing a suspension of a homopolymer or copolymer and a spinning or gelling solvent, of a non polar nature at a weight of homopolymer or copolymer to solvent ratio from 2/98 to 30/70; wherein said homopolymer or copolymer has a monomodal, bimodal or multimodal molecular weight distribution, and is obtained from C2+n monomers, wherein n varies from 0 to 2; (b1) feeding said homopolymer or copolymer suspension, to an extruder; (c1) extruding the suspension with the formation of a gel, at a temperature in excess of 150° C., under regular atmospheric or inert conditions; (d1) spinning the gel to obtain non-stretched filaments with diameters of at least 1 mm, at a temperature in excess of 150° C.

Abstract: Disclosed are wholly aromatic polyamide filament and a method of manufacturing the same, characterized by comprising multi-stage injection of a coagulant with sulfuric acid concentration lowered sequentially stage by stage, to a spun material fed into a coagulant injection tank. The present invention enables increase of a spinning and take-up velocity without occurrence of thread cutting by uniformly and evenly coagulating surface and inside of the spun material. In addition, the present invention recovers the coagulant or water already used and reuses the recovered coagulant or water in the earlier stages, so that it has advantages of saving production costs and reducing environmental contamination. Accordingly, the wholly aromatic polyamide filament produced according to the present invention has high crystallinity X, large apparent crystal size ACS and reduced defects in the crystal itself, thereby exhibiting more improved physical properties such as strength and modulus.

Abstract: A porous polyethylene hollow fiber membrane having a pore-size gradient across the inner and outer surfaces thereof is prepared by introducing, during the cooling step of a melt-spun polyethylene hollow fiber, a nitrogen flow and a solvent having a boiling point in the range of 30 to 80° C. to the inner and outer surfaces of the melt-spun hollow fiber, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a non-woven cellulosic structure comprising the steps of extruding continuous filaments from a cellulosic solution; passing the extruded filaments through a regenerating liquid to attenuate the filaments and laying the attenuated filaments into a web and to the non-woven cellulosic structure prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A tool creates a fastener-receiving cavity within a foam-filled structure that includes a panel with a slot for receiving the fastener and foam backing that is cast in place against on the underside of the panel. The tool includes a clip and a plunger. The clip is inserted into the slot and has legs joined by a hinge. The plunger is inserted between the legs to spread the legs and fills the space between the spread-apart legs that would otherwise become filled with foam. After the foam is cast, the plunger is removed so that the legs can be returned to a closely spaced relationship and the clip is removed from the slot, leaving a cavity for subsequently receiving a fastener.

Abstract: An internal mandrel for cooling a tubular thin film is disclosed where an air layer is eliminated in the lower side cooler of the internal mandrel, so that the tubular thin film can be continuously and stably produced. In the internal mandrel for directly cooling the tubular thin film while using external circularly shaped cooling tank where the tubular thin film is downwardly extruded through a circular slit of the die, the internal mandrel is characterized in that coolant for cooling a lower most part of the internal mandrel is flown in the countercurrent direction in the internal mandrel to the tubular thin film.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a fiber from a biocompatible biopolymer includes a fiber-formation tube that defines a bore extending generally vertically from an upper end to a lower end. Coagulation fluid enters the tube through a fluid inlet coupled to its upper end and establishes a laminar flow of coagulation fluid within the tube. A spinneret introduces a stream of liquid biopolymer into the laminar flow of coagulation fluid so that the stream is surrounded and swept downstream by the coagulation fluid as it coagulates into a biopolymer fiber. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid surrounding the biopolymer stream maintains the shape of the stream so that the resulting fiber is homogeneous in both geometry and structure. The laminar flow of coagulation fluid also prevents the resulting fiber from contacting the inner wall of the fiber-formation tube.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for pelletizing high melt flow crystalline polymers to produce crystalline pellet products. The process includes feeding a polyolefin granular or pelleted polymer into a melting/mixing mechanism to provide a molten polymer material. The molten polymer material is optionally passed through a melt pump and through a die to form a plurality of molten polymer strands. The plurality of molten polymer strands then are passed through or along a water trough declined with respect to the direction of the horizontal arrays where they are sprayed with cool liquid a plurality of times in such a manner that the sprayed cool liquid creates turbulent flow and disturbs a thin film of hot water and/or steam that forms around each molten polymer strand as it is cooled without undesirable axial acceleration of the polymer strands. Subjecting the molten polymer strands to such a cooling procedure produces cooled polymer strands, which then are fed to a cutting mechanism and cut into pellets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the diameter of a clear extruded molten tube wherein the extruded tube contains a volume of a clear liquid and the level of the liquid is indicative of the tube diameter so the level rises as the tube diameter decreases. A light beam passing through the tube is refracted from a straight line path when the liquid level rises above the level of the beam. The refracting of the beam in turn triggers the introduction of air into the extruded tube to increase the diameter of the extruded, molten tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous shaped article such as a polyurethaneurea fiber and a polyurethaneurea film having a birefringence index (&Dgr;n) of from at least 1.0×10−4 to 8.0×10−4 in a nontensile state, a crosslinking density at an elongation of 100% (N100) of at least 5.0×1026/m3, a crosslinking point density at an elongation of 400% (N400) of from 4.0×1026 to 3.0×1027/m3, and a crosslinking point density at the time of breakage (Nt) of at least 1.6×1027/m3, wherein the ratio of the crosslinking density at an elongation of 400% to that at an elongation of 100% (N400/N100) is from 0.9 to 1.3, and a process for producing the same. The present invention has made the continuous shaped article show an initial stress, a strength at break and an elongation at break which are sufficiently high, and a small rise in the stress in the medium elongation range.

Abstract: A method for producing cellulose particles whereby a cellulose solution is dispersed in a regenerant or nonsolvent and the cellulose is regenerated or precipitated in dispersed form into cellulose particles.

Abstract: A novel apparatus is described for granulating plastic strands (4) which emerge from nozzles (3) in molten form and are supplied to a following, downward inclined runoff channel (1) in which the plastic strands are transported by a liquid stream, in particular water stream. Further the apparatus has a dewatering zone (1b) for the plastic strands (4) and a granulator (6) disposed after this dewatering zone. Between the dewatering zone (1b) and the granulator (6) there is at least one tempering zone (9) comprising a rigid, unmoving channel (15) and integrated transport rolls (16) for the plastic strands (4) and having a length such that the temperature differences of the plastic strands (4) across their cross section are largely equalized during their holding time in the tempering zone (9).

Abstract: A process for preparing an alginate rope, which process comprises the steps of: (a) extruding an aqueous solution of a water soluble alginate into a coagulation bath; (b) contacting the extruded water soluble alginate with a source of a cation capable of forming a water insoluble alginate salt so as to produce a tow of water insoluble alginate fibers; (c) twisting the water insoluble alginate fibers of the tow; and (d) stretching the fibers up to 250% of their original length. The alginate rope prepared according to the process of the invention may be used as a surgical pack material or in the treatment of cavity wounds.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing cellulose fibers by extrusion of a spinning solution, containing dissolved cellulose, into a gaseous medium through a predetermined gas zone, with subsequent immersion in and guidance through a coagulation bath over a predetermined coagulation zone, drawing the cellulose fibers obtained and winding them up, characterized in that after the gas zone the extruded spinning solution is immersed in a coagulation bath accelerated to a predetermined velocity and flowing laminarly at least approximately in the direction of the extruded spinning solution, whereby the coagulation liquid is fed laterally into the path of the spinning solution and the flow direction of the spinning solution and the coagulation liquid is kept approximately parallel throughout the entire coagulation zone, and in that the cellulose fibers obtained are laterally deflected upon leaving the coagulation zone and then wound up.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making para-aramid filaments of especially high strength by extruding a solution of para-aramid through fine capillaries and drying the resulting filaments under high tension.

Abstract: By utilizing the process of the present invention, a free-flowing crumb rubber composition can be easily prepared on a commercial scale. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a free-flowing crumb rubber composition which comprises the steps of:(1) extruding a rubbery polymer into a wax emulsion; wherein the rubbery polymer is extruded into pellets having a diameter which is within the range of about 1 mm to about 15 mm; wherein the wax emulsion is comprised of about 35 weight percent to about 89 weight percent water, from about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of a wax, and from about 1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of an emulsifier; wherein the wax has a melting point which is within the range of about 40.degree. C. to about 175.degree. C.; and wherein the wax emulsion is at a temperature which is within the range of about 5.degree. C. to about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for the regeneration of cellulosic artificial sausage casings including the steps of immersing the regenerating casing in at least one regeneration bath including a solution of sodium sulfate and sulfuric acid, and subsequently immersing the regenerated casing in at least one finishing bath to remove impurities from the regenerated casing and further including the steps of maintaining regeneration bath at a temperature greater than 80.degree. C., sparging gas against the regenerating casing in said bath and actively cooling the regenerating casing upon withdrawal from the regeneration bath, spraying the regenerated casing with finishing solution above finishing bath and sparging gas against the regenerated casing in the finishing bath.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a tubular thin film of thermoplastic resin in a melted state is described. The apparatus is capable of cooling the thin film from both the inside and the outside thereof while setting its diameter by interposing the film between the mandrel and an external circular coolant storage tank. The mandrel has a cylindrical shape and is connected with the lower side of a circular-shaped extruding die wherein the film is extruded downward from a circular slit in the die. The mandrel includes an air-injecting nozzle for injecting compressed air that maintains the shape of an upper bubble part of the thin film formed between the die and the mandrel. A coolant injecting nozzle which can inject the coolant toward the inner surface of the thin film is provided, the coolant injecting nozzle being formed into a single stage of circular slit or two or more stages of circular slits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a support for a filtration medium comprising passing a sheet of nonwoven fibrous polymeric material having first and second sides through a calender which comprises a nondeformable roll and a resilient roll, the nondeformable roll being maintained at a temperature below the melting temperature of the material, so as to increase the smoothness of the first side of the material which contacted the resilient roll. A filtration medium support material prepared in accordance with the method of the present invention, as well as a filter comprising a filtration medium and that filtration medium support material, are also provided by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for compounding and pelletizing of chemical foaming agents in a high melt resin carrier and producing unique, uniform encapsulated and pelletized chemical foaming concentrates. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the compounding, encapsulating and pelletizing in a high melt resin carrier a highly loaded concentration (5 to 70 wt %) of foaming agents which include an endothermic foaming agent, an exothermic foaming agent or hybrid combinations of these two such that when incorporated into a thermoplastic resin to produce a foamed product will chemically react to form carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen or mixtures thereof as the active foaming gas.

Abstract: A synthetic resin pelletizing machine includes an extrusion cylinder forming, with a horizontal plane, an installation angle .theta. which is in the range of 0.degree.<.theta.<90.degree., a raw material feed passage extending upwardly from said extrusion cylinder at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said extrusion cylinder, and a cooling unit disposed below a die head and having a double bath construction composed of a first cooling bath and a second cooling bath disposed in the first cooling bath. The pelletizing machine thus constructed is compact in size and is capable of assuring a smooth feed of a raw material to the extrusion cylinder as well as a smooth passage of an extruded strand through the cooling unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a tubular thin film of thermoplastic resin in a melted state is described. The apparatus is capable of cooling the thin film from both the inside and the outside thereof while setting its diameter by interposing the film between the mandrel and an external circular coolant storage tank. The mandrel has a cylindrical shape and is connected with the lower side of a circular-shaped extruding die wherein the film is extruded downward from a circular slit in the die. The mandrel includes an air-injecting nozzle for injecting compressed air that maintains the shape of an upper bubble pan of the thin film formed between the die and the mandrel. A coolant injecting nozzle which can inject the coolant toward the inner surface of the thin film is provided, the coolant injecting nozzle being formed into a single stage of circular slit or two or more stages of circular slits.

Abstract: A process for preparing subdenier fibers and structures thereof from isotropic polymer solutions is disclosed. The process comprises extruding a stream of the polymer solution into a chamber, introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber, directing the gas in the flow direction of and in surrounding contact with the stream within the chamber, passing both the gas and the stream into a zone of lower pressure at a velocity sufficient to attenuate the stream and fragment it into fibers, and contacting the fragmented stream in the zone with a coagulating fluid.